[annesingleton]

I'm really sorry for being controversial and I'm not even saying that I agree with everything I'm saying, I'm just telling people the way things are for people working with young people.
Professionals need to be protected in their work, and given the escalating number of young people who are out of control (I don't work in education but have many links to people who do) I honestly don't know what the answer is.
I've previously for many years worked in and managed residential child care services, working with some very damaged children, in my current job I've had a police marker on my address in case of emergency from repercussions for my actions. I've also worked with a psychologist specialising in behavioural problems in young people, and from my knowledge and experience maybe the answer is to avoid confrontation whilst addressing the issues which contribute to the behaviour. However this is no answer to the situation the teacher in question found himself in - no doubt properly trained people may have been able to avoid the situation, but teachers - in my opinion - do not necessarily receive the correct training to equip them to deal with seriously disruptive pupils - after all their remit is to teach and impart knowledge.