Teachers who experience “severe” pupil behaviour are more likely to report work-related health issues, a union survey has found. A survey by teachers’ union NASUWT found those who said they had been impacted by severe pupil behaviour reported higher rates of headaches and migraines than teachers unaffected by behaviour. One in five teachers said they had experienced or seen physical assaults by pupils on teacher, with nearly a quarter (23 per cent) reporting they have been pushed or shoved by a pupil. Another fifth of teachers (21 per cent) said they had been subject to misogyny by a pupil and nearly a third (29 per cent) said they had experienced discriminatory language in school. Where such incidents had occurred, only a third of teachers said they felt their employer dealt with the issue effectively. NASUWT analysed responses on work-related health issues and behaviour. It found while headaches and migraines were common across teachers, 70 per cent of those impacted by severe behaviour reported experiencing them, compared to 61 per cent of those teachers unaffected by pupil behaviour. Source: NASUWT Experience of frequent nausea nearly doubles from eight per cent to 15.7 per cent for teachers experiencing poor behaviour. Teachers impacted by severe behaviour also reported slightly more neck pain, at 45.5 per cent compared with 38.7 per cent, and high blood pressure, at 53.7 per cent compared with 49.3 per cent. Poor behaviour was the second highest cited concern that members had about their jobs – at 68 per cent. This followed workload, at 77 per cent. Nearly half (49 per cent) of respondents said school budget cuts were a concern, while another 45 per cent cited pay. Staff ‘not adequately supported’ General secretary of NASUWT Matt Wrack said: “It is clear that for a significant number of teachers poor, and at times, abusive behaviour is disrupting learning and affecting their physical and mental wellbeing. “Where violent and abusive behaviour does occur, schools and colleges have a responsibility to protect staff and pupils. Many do so, but in too many staff do not feel adequately supported and children and young people are being placed at risk.” The report said ministers should establish “system-level, multi-agency working parties” on school safety to provide “practical strategies” and ensure that every school has access to a school-based counsellor. A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Violence affecting teachers is completely unacceptable, and schools should never be left to deal with it alone. “We are taking action to tackle the root causes of behaviour before problems escalate through our 93 Attendance and Behaviour Hubs, and investing billions to make sure every child with SEND can access the right support through local services and in their local school.