£402,000 for teacher hit by pupil

A teacher has been awarded £402,000 in damages for a career-ending injury caused by a pupil in a secure unit.

The teacher worked in Staffordshire but wishes to remain anonymous. She sustained a back injury in the attack. The National Union of Teachers negotiated the payout with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

The union said it was the biggest in recent years. Chief legal officer Graham Clayton said it was entirely justified in the circumstances.

A teacher suffers a violent attack almost every school day in England, according to government figures.

There were 221 attacks on teachers last year, and 1,128 between 2000 and 2006.

Injuries caused by violent attacks increased by a fifth over the same period.