The prevalence of violence in schools is on the rise, as highlighted by a recent report.
Shockingly, 13% of schoolteachers in the UK were assaulted by pupils last year. A key aspect of tackling aggressive behaviour is addressing the school infrastructure itself. By creating safe learning environments that prevent harm to others, the risk of aggressive behaviour escalating into physical attacks can be minimised. This is where staff safety systems play a pivotal role. Staff attack systems, commonly found in high-risk environments such as mental health facilities, hospitals, and retail centres, provide teachers and assistant with the ability to summon help quickly in emergencies. Pinpoint's safety systems operate through the communication of infrared signals emitted from one alarm device to another receiver unit. The alarm, concealed within the teacher's ID badge holder, is a small yet powerful device. It features two call levels: emergency and assistance. In situations where a student displays hostile behaviour, the teacher can discreetly press the 'assistance' button on the back of the alarm to silently notify colleagues of the need for additional support. Often, the presence of another teacher is sufficient to diffuse a potentially aggressive situation.
However, if a student acts violently towards a staff member or fellow student, the teacher can press the 'emergency' button on the alarm to urgently summon help and activate the emergency alarm. This rapid response allows responders to swiftly intervene and de-escalate the incident. By triggering the system, the teacher alerts others to the exact location and nature of the incident, enabling colleagues to quickly react and respond. The efficiency and reliability of this process prevent violent behaviour and instil greater confidence in the school's security among staff, students, and parents. Scott Thomson, Deputy Head Teacher of Carrongrange School, Grangemouth, where Pinpoint's staff safety system is in use, commented: "It helps staff and pupils feel much safer. The knowledge that staff can immediately summon help with their alarm has significantly reduced the number of incidents.”
