Woman jailed for assaulting teacher

The judge said teachers must be protected

A woman has been jailed for three months for assaulting a pregnant teacher during an argument over the price of a school trip.

Deborah Broad, a mother of three from Sheffield, was told by the judge that teachers had to be protected from such assaults.

A prison sentence will hopefully be a strong deterrent to those inclined to attack teachers

Chris Keates, NASUWT

Sheffield Magistrates Court heard that in July last year, Mrs Broad, 42, went to the school attended by one of her children because she was angry at being asked to pay a further £1.50 towards a trip that had already cost £4.

Mrs Broad told the court that as she left the premises, she felt a group of teachers were laughing at her behind her back.

She then turned and hit one of the teachers, who was five months pregnant, in the face and on the shoulder.

Hospital treatment

The female member of staff fell against a desk and needed hospital treatment.

Mrs Broad pleaded guilty to common assault and was sentenced to three months in prison.

Teachers have a right to work without fear of violent attack or verbal abuse

Education Secretary Estelle Morris

District Judge Tony Browne said teachers had the right to feel protected on school premises and anyone who assaulted them must face stiff penalties.

News of the sentence was welcomed by the NASUWT union, of which the teacher in question is a member.

NASUWT deputy general secretary Chris Keates said: "It is a sad reflection on society that teachers, along with other public sector workers, are frequent victims of violence."

"NASUWT welcomes the fact that the court has taken this assault seriously.

"A prison sentence will hopefully be a strong deterrent to those inclined to attack teachers," said Ms Keates.

Crack down on violence

The ruling comes as the government has pledged to crack down on violent and abusive parents.

Earlier this month, the Department for Education launched a poster campaign in England's schools warning parents they faced prosecution if they threatened or abused staff.

The posters, similar to those found in hospitals and on public transport, were part of a "toolkit" for schools setting out the legal position on parental violence.

With concerns over abusive parents - and pupils - proving an ever growing concern of the teachers' unions, the government wants to be seen to be supporting a "zero tolerance" attitude towards violence in schools.

Indiscipline and violence is one of the main reasons cited by teachers leaving the profession.

The Education Secretary, Estelle Morris, welcomed the tough line being taken in the courts.

"The message is loud and clear, that if you attack teachers, you can now go to prison," said Ms Morris.

"There should be no doubt as to our determination to stamp out this abuse.

"Teachers have a right to work without fear of violent attack or verbal abuse."