Teacher abuse on the rise in UK schools as new study links staff absences to lower exam results

A new Save My Exams report highlights the impact of student and parent abuse on teacher wellbeing, retention, and student academic outcomes.

Educator resource platform Save My Exams has published findings from a UK-wide study revealing the extent of student and parent abuse against teachers and its effect on exam performance.

The research is based on a survey of 200 current and former teachers, a Department for Education (DfE) Freedom of Information request, and an analysis of more than 2,700 Reddit forum posts related to school experiences.

Abuse linked to staff absences and academic decline

According to the study, two-thirds of teachers have experienced some form of abuse from students, while three-quarters say this behavior has negatively affected overall student performance due to long-term staff absences.

Forty-one percent of teachers report that exam results have been directly impacted by disruptions linked to abuse. Verbal abuse was the most common issue, cited by 43 percent of respondents, followed by online harassment, mentioned by 21 percent.

The data also shows that 41 percent of teachers have left or considered leaving the profession as a result of student behavior, with many stating it affects their ability to perform effectively in the classroom. Forty percent of respondents said abuse prevents them from teaching at their best, and 47 percent reported feeling unmotivated in their role. One-third said they have experienced increased stress, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion.

Abuse from parents and post-pandemic escalation

The report further reveals that two-thirds of teachers have faced abuse from parents, with 24 percent citing aggressive or mocking emails and 23 percent referencing incidents on social media. Abuse was most frequently reported by millennial teachers, 75 percent of whom said they had encountered this type of behavior.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents have continued to rise. Forty-three percent of teachers said they had seen an increase in verbal abuse, while 34 percent observed a rise in threats and intimidation.

DfE data supports these claims, showing that suspensions for verbal abuse or threatening behavior towards adults rose by 164 percent between the 2016–17 and 2023–24 academic years. Suspensions for physical assaults increased by 109 percent, and suspensions for persistent disruptive behavior were up by 334 percent.

Call for increased support and policy guidance

Lucy Kirkham, Head of STEM at Save My Exams, comments: “Our report has revealed a significant rise in student-on-teacher abuse and the potential consequences this has on both teachers and students. Not only is it having a profoundly negative impact on the quality of education UK students are receiving, but it is also dramatically affecting attainment by demotivating students and teachers.”

She continues: “From this report, we are calling for more guidance and financial support from the UK Government to help rebuild the trust that has deteriorated. More investment is required to support behavior policies for teachers to deal with the extreme rise in behavioral issues since the COVID-19 pandemic, and to improve the lines of communication between parents and schools.”