Published Date: Jan 28th, 2025
Fife councillors have heard how the Kingdom's teachers and pupils are supported in schools.
The report discussed today (Tuesday) outlined the many ways the council is working to make sure the right support is in place for staff and young people. And members of the council's Education Scrutiny Committee were updated on progress.
Committee Convener Kathleen Leslie explained: "In Fife we understand fully how important it is to have happy, healthy, fully supported, enthusiastic teachers in our classrooms. We also understand and really appreciate what a difficult job they do and we want to help them continue to do that.
"It's equally important that our young people feel heard and supported in school and it's encouraging to understand the work that's being done to make sure this is the case."
Councillors heard that the council's Health and Wellbeing strategy is critical in helping make sure positive relationships in schools are managed and supported.
Added Cllr Leslie: "Teaching can be a hugely rewarding career. But we can't underestimate the challenges that teachers sometimes have to deal with including verbal abuse, intimidating behaviour or physical violence. The statistics speak for themselves, and that's why it's so important that safe working practices and the right training are in place."
The report also highlights how the Health and Wellbeing strategy provides a blueprint for the way schools manage positive relationships against a backdrop of nationally recognised challenges including an increase in mental health problems, the impact of poverty, the impact of trauma and the impact of the pandemic.
Each school also has its own Relationships and Behaviour policy which supports staff and learners to understand what it means to learn and work in a community built on respect, something that is embedded in the life and culture of the school community.
Feedback from staff is vital in developing positive working practices. Results from the recent Staffwise survey show teachers feel they need more support managing incidents of violence and aggression in schools. A Relationships and Behaviour Strategy Group is now meeting regularly with Trade Unions, looking at improving reporting arrangements and partnership working with parents and carers.
Councillors heard that more time is being given to Pupil Support Assistants every week to become more familiar with pro-active management plans for individual pupils, time for further training and time to meet with teachers.
Policies around anti-bullying, safer working practices and physical Intervention have been reviewed, updated and re-issued to schools and four secondary schools are continuing the practice of having a social worker based in the school.
The committee also agreed that a cross-party elected member and officer working group should be established to further explore relationships and behaviours in schools.
Cllr Leslie concluded: "Our schools should be positive, nurturing environments for our young people - and our staff. It's encouraging to see the volume of positive, pro-active work going on to help sustain that aim for the future."