Academy trust head admits he 'cries' over violence at school where teachers are threatened with sexual assault and told they will have their throats cut by knife-wielding pupils

An academy trust head has admitted he 'cries' over the violence at a school where teachers are threatened with sexual assault and having their throats cut by knife-wielding pupils.

Oasis Academies founder Steve Chalke, said he was 'really sorry about this situation' of the school on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent where teachers went on strike because of the conditions.

'I cry about it, to tell you the truth,' he added.

The school has seen 20 teachers gone on strike for three days over the violence and intimidation they experience daily from children as young as 11 or 12. Lisa, who did not want to give her surname, said this week: 'We are collectively striking because there have been too many incidents of violence and threats of violence against staff.

'We have had chairs thrown; been pushed and shoved... physically assaulted. We have the n-word used on a regular basis to our black teachers.'

'It is shocking, isn't it?' head Mr Chalke told BBC Radio Kent about the ongoing crisis at Oasis Academy in Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey. 'It's a terrible thing and it's a thing of great regret, but the reality is... that we also run six schools in Croydon and lots of schools around the country.'

He blamed issues over pupil behaviour on the pandemic, and said it was a national issue, but admitted it was a 'different level' on the Isle of Sheppey.

Mr Chalke said: 'Behaviour in schools has deteriorated across the country and deteriorated fast since the pandemic, it's a national crisis.

'But it's deteriorated even further - to a different level - on the Isle of Sheppey and I am very sorry, I'm really sorry about this situation. I cry about it, to tell you the truth.

'I know that may sound namby pamby or ineffectual but we have strained and worked at it.'

The academy head said he has been invited to the school but told the radio programme that he is 'constantly on the Isle of Sheppey' and getting involved with the community which understand the 'wider socio-economic issues'.

He said the community also understands 'that this is a societal problem as well as a problem that shows itself in school'.

Mr Chalke added: 'So I apologise to every one of those teachers, honestly I do, I care about this.'

'But I don't have a magic wand,' he added.

The crisis at the school came as Ofsted released their annual report where outgoing chief Amanda Spielman, stated that absenteeism and disruptive pupil behaviour is becoming more commonplace.

She also warned that secondary schools are plagued by a growing number of children playing 'internal truancy', where they wander corridors and hang out in toilets instead of going to lessons.

The walk-out in Kent is believed to be the first time teachers in England have gone on strike because of the fear of pupil behaviour. Although last month there was a three-day strike at Caldicot Secondary School in Monmouthshire, Wales, over what they called the 'violent and aggressive behaviour' of some pupils.

The strike action in Kent - which teachers considered a 'last resort' - was forced, teachers say, due to the threat of violence from pupils, after four physical assaults in the past two weeks alone.

Behaviour ranges from threats of sexual violence against female staff and gang fights, to large groups of children attacking one pupil, and others throwing tables and chairs at staff.

The school - which was rated inadequate in four categories by Ofsted when they visited last year and reported on unsafe pupils and 'rife bad behaviour' - has seen various attempts to turn it around.

But these attempts, which included a multi-million-pound investment in school infrastructure, have failed to make an impact.

The reasons why are complex, although some of the roots undoubtedly lie in a difficult mix of social deprivation, well-intentioned but ultimately futile overhauls and endless staff turnover, which has served only to further estrange pupils, parents and teachers.

The Isle of Sheppey was found to be in the top ten most deprived areas in the country when the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published its index of what it called 'multiple deprivation' earlier this year.

The Government is investing £10million in 'behaviour hubs' which launched in April 2021, which it says will allow schools with exemplary positive behaviour cultures to work closely with schools that need help. It has also updated guidance on good behaviour in schools.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: 'Strike action is damaging to pupils' learning and disruptive for parents, and we are disappointed to see strikes are continuing at the Oasis Academy, Isle of Sheppey.

'We are considering a proposal from two strong local trusts to replace the existing school with two new ones, extending parental choice in the area and ensuring children receive a high quality education.'