Teacher walkout resolved at Edinburgh's Kaimes School

We revealed the news that 11 teachers at Kaimes School in Liberton are refusing to provide lessons over physical and verbal assaults. Picture: SWNS

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Teachers who walked out of a special school after refusing to look after 'violent' pupils have returned to work after successful discussions by the city council and union bosses.

Members of the NASUWT union had walked out of Kaimes School with no pay after repeated incidents of verbal and physical abuse by eight specific pupils.

The union and city council will meet again next month to discuss any further issues.

Both parties have released a joint statement.

Ex-Kaimes School staff member reveals assaults and lack of resources

It said: “The City of Edinburgh Council and the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union are pleased to announce that they have resolved the dispute at Kaimes School in Edinburgh.

“A range of actions have been agreed which will enhance both working conditions for teachers and the learning environment for pupils.

“The wellbeing of staff and pupils has been at the heart of the discussions and both parties have agreed that a zero tolerance approach to any incident involving violence against staff is paramount to ensure the safety and protection of staff at all times.”

It added: “In the light of the good progress made, the NASUWT members have now returned to work. The council and the NASUWT will monitor matters and have agreed to meet again in December to review progress.

“Both parties agree that the staff and pupils at Kaimes School now need space and stability to enable them to move forward positively and so there will be no further comments or statements made at this time.”

Conservative Cllr Callum Laidlaw said: “I am pleased to see the situation at Kaimes School has been resolved but think the incident raises serious concerns about how our teachers are supported in handling more challenging pupils.

“Legitimate concerns regarding safety must be mitigated better and teachers within special schools across the city engaged with to ensure issues like this are avoided in future”

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