A sizeable number of state school teachers have had to deal with aggressive behaviour from pupils over the last 12 months, according to a major new survey from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).

It revealed that 57 per cent of staff had faced belligerent behaviour from students, with 45 per cent stating that this has manifested itself into physical violence.

ATL found that for the majority of teachers (84 per cent), aggressive behaviour had taken the form of verbal insults.

The poll also reported that a quarter of teachers have been subjected to aggressive behaviour from a pupil's parent or carer.

In total, 70 per cent of respondents said that they had felt either threatened or intimidated.

Pam Harris, a supply teacher from East Yorkshire, told the education union of an astonishing example of aggressive behaviour that she had faced.

"A pupil emptied the contents of a syringe (it turned out to be water) in my face and ran off," she recounted. "The pupil was in school the next day and wasn't even asked to apologise."

Sharon Lee meanwhile, a primary teacher in an academy in Surrey, demonstrated how issues with aggression are occurring at a young age.

She said that in the past two years alone two children had been permanently excluded from her class for violent behaviour to others.

Ms Lee added: "Both cases were linked to mental health issues, and it seems that we are experiencing more children struggling with these than ever before." 

The survey observed that so bad were some instances of aggressive behaviour that 40 per cent of teachers had considered leaving the profession.

While clearly this is an issue that needs to be addressed, despite having to deal with aggressive behaviour, some teachers are nevertheless satisfied with how their schools respond.

ATL found that 37 per cent were happy with the way in which their school dealt with the problem, with almost 50 per cent reporting that they have a risk assessment in place for problematic pupils.

"It is shocking that almost 60 per cent of education staff have faced aggression from a student in the last year," said Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL.

"No member of staff should be subjected to aggressive behaviour, in any form, while doing their job. Sadly, although the vast majority of students are well-behaved and a pleasure to teach, poor behaviour is now a daily reality for most staff."

She concluded by saying that what schools need to have is a firm and consistent set of discipline policies, as well as a proactive approach to aggressive behaviour in the form of regular contact with parents.