One in three secondary school support workers have faced physical abuse by pupils and 80% have been subject to verbal violence at some point in their school career, according to a report by the CNV-affiliated teaching union.

The union describes the findings as ‘shocking’ and says some school caretakers and teaching assistants have been left with lasting injuries. Parents as well as pupils are to blame, the union says.
Nevertheless, 88% of the thousand support staff questioned say they feel safe in their working environment.