Teachers want better protection for schools

The NASUWT union is demanding extra measures in schools to stop violence from armed pupils.

But its conference heard teachers fear expelled thugs would simply turn their violence on teachers' homes.

Anthony Bell said he and his wife, also a teacher, were assaulted in their home by the teenage pupils' gang.

I went outside to see this girl punching my wife in the head Science teacher Anthony Bell

Science teacher Mr Bell said the attacks began when Susan Bell, 44, who teaches English at the same school, disciplined two pupils for abusive behaviour while she was on bus duty.

The pair were suspended but then appeared with a group of others outside the Bells' home in a Bedfordshire town.

"We were sitting having our evening meal and stones started hitting the dining room window," said 51-year-old Mr Bell.

"One Saturday they waited outside our gate for my wife to come out. When she came out to go over the road to talk to a neighbour, she called back to me, 'They're here'.

"When she came back I went outside to see this girl punching my wife in the head."

The attacks, including kicking, stone-throwing and a brick being hurled through their 11-year-old daughter's bedroom window, are still going on now, nearly a year later, he said.

They had both had time off with stress but he said they were determined not to take police advice to move.

"The police inspector basically said 'move'. We said no. Why should we? It's our home.

"My daughter would have to move schools. She would lose her friends.

Warning signs

"We have always refused to be victimised on this."

Teachers at the annual conference in Brighton demanded CCTV, metal detectors and warning signs in schools to stop violence from pupils armed with air guns and knives.

Delegates called for signs in school entrances warning parents and pupils that they will face police action if they abuse or attack staff.