A new national initiative aimed at addressing the issue of weapons in schools was announced by the Welsh Government on February 5, 2023. This announcement coincided with the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder following an incident in which he assaulted a teacher. The boy is currently in police custody, and the incident prompted a lockdown at Milford Haven School.
The initiative seeks to provide support for school staff dealing with pupils suspected of carrying knives and other weapons. It comes in response to rising concerns about aggressive behavior in schools, with teachers and educational leaders advocating for more resources to manage such situations. In recent months, some educators have even protested over the lack of support in facing violent conduct from students.
Comprehensive Support Strategy for Schools
According to the Welsh Government, the new resources aim to create a “robust, consistent, fair, and trauma-informed approach” to handling incidents involving weapons. The initiative promotes understanding of legal requirements and provides safeguarding measures for all staff and learners. This effort is essential in light of previous incidents, including a case where a pupil stabbed two teachers and another student.
Education Minister Lynne Neagle stated that the initiative’s goal is to enhance safety for both pupils and staff. The plan will integrate with the existing “safe and effective intervention” protocol, offering guidance on reasonable force and the procedures for searching students suspected of carrying weapons.
The initiative will utilize guidance issued by Cardiff Council last term, which instructed educators on how to search students suspected of bringing weapons onto school grounds. Although national guidance allows schools in Wales to screen pupils for weapons, not all staff feel confident in executing these searches or understanding the associated legal and safety implications.
Collaboration and Community Involvement
The new all-Wales resources will be developed based on the latest evidence and best practices for dealing with weapons in schools. In one noteworthy incident last year, a school entered lockdown, and armed police responded to a report of a pupil with a knife. Fortunately, no weapon was found during the search.
Teaching unions have welcomed the initiative but stressed the need for additional funding to hire support staff who can address the increasing emotional and social challenges faced by students. Claire Armitstead, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, emphasized that while schools remain generally safe, incidents involving weapons can dramatically affect the school community. She called for greater investments in mental health services and youth programs, asserting that schools are often dealing with the consequences of broader societal issues surrounding weapon use.
Cardiff Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for education, Cllr Sarah Merry, expressed satisfaction that the Welsh Government has adopted Cardiff’s guidance for a national rollout, recognizing it as a model of best practice. The guidance was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including South Wales Police, trade unions, and violence prevention experts.
As the initiative unfolds, the Welsh Government plans to allocate up to £300,000 in funding over the next 12 months. This investment aims to ensure that resources are available across Wales by 2027, fostering collaboration between schools, families, and other services to create a safer educational environment.
The rollout of the all-Wales protocol is a step toward achieving a consistent approach in addressing the critical issue of weapons in schools, as highlighted during the recent National Behaviour Summit.
