Nearly 1,400 pupils – some as young as five – have been excluded from schools across Aberdeenshire for assaulting other children and staff in just five years – with more than 100 weapons involved.
This year was the worst, with the number up from 264 to 303, including 14 on staff involving weapons and six on fellow pupils, figures show.
And teachers and other education staff made up 80% of the victims of the 2,207 attacks on the local authority’s workforce over the same period.
Critics said they risked being used as “bouncers” and needed better protection.
Details of the level of violent incidents come more than a year after changes were recommended by the report into the killing of Bailey Gwynne at an Aberdeen school by another 16-year-old.
Chief inspector Elaine Logue issued a warning to deter youngsters from carrying weapons.
She said: “Young people need to understand that even if they never intend on using a weapon, the act of carrying one could result in unthinkable consequences, not to mention a potential criminal record. There is no justifiable reason for ever carrying a weapon and whether or not the intention is to use it is absolutely irrelevant.
She added: “My message to parents and guardians is that we can’t eradicate this issue on our own – it is vital you also talk to your children about the dangers of carrying weapons and that they appreciate the harsh reality of what could result.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson added: “Threats to the safety of the school environment are taken very seriously and are dealt with as urgent priorities.”
It said it was “reviewing how incidents are recorded” as the definition of a weapon was wide enough to include “a rolled up piece of paper”.
Research by the Scottish Conservatives found there have been 2,207 attacks were made against Aberdeenshire Council staff in the last five years, 1,776 against teachers and other education staff.
Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie said the figures “make for grim reading”.
“Teachers are not bouncers and should be guaranteed a safe working environment,” he said.
The council said the attacks included every situation “involving physical violence, threatening behaviour or verbal abuse that the ‘victim’ feels has caused them physical harm or psychological offence”.
A large number involved young people with “known behavioural issues.”
“As the council operates a zero-tolerance policy these incidents can never be regarded as acceptable, but in a lot of cases they would be expected.”
