UNREGULATED social media is exacerbating the extreme and growing levels of violence in schools, the National Education Union (NEU) said today.

Child poverty rates and welfare cuts have left pupils becoming “increasingly disenfranchised and disaffected,” delegates at the union’s annual conference moved.

The narrowing of the curriculum is also driving the disaffection, a motion said.

Torfaen delegate Sabrina Greenall said there is an increasing presence of weapons in schools.

“This is not concerning, it’s a crisis demanding immediate attention to support our colleagues and pupils,” she added.

“A system in breakdown… teachers and support staff are being punched, kicked and verbally abused while attempting to protect other students.

“The consequences extend beyond physical safety — consider the 13-year-old girl in Ammanford who attacked two teachers and students with a knife, a weapon she had carried since primary school.

“These aren’t isolated incidents — they represent a pattern that threatens the very foundation of our education mission.

“This crisis disproportionately affects women, [with] one in three women considering leaving the profession entirely due to these safety concerns.

“We need a unified and sensible reporting system that connects schools directly with local authorities.

“The current lack of resources leaves these vulnerable pupils without adequate support, often leading to behavioural challenges that could be prevented with proper intervention.”