Understanding and preventing serious violence in education - new DfE guidance for schools and colleges

National evidence shows that, in 2025:

* nearly 1 in 5 teenagers (18%) reported being a victim of violence

* half (50%) had witnessed violence being committed against someone else

In December 2024, 70% of teachers in English primary and secondary schools reported incidents of physical assault between pupils during the previous term.

The Department for Education have published (October 2026) guidance aimed at helping schools and colleges understand how their students may get involved in violent or criminal behaviour, and how to prevent and respond to incidents. This guidance does not introduce new expectations. It provides an overview of existing government guidance to help schools and colleges work confidently and consistently by providing:

• clear routes through existing guidance
• practical tools for local adaptation
• signposting to relevant support
• statutory duties and the difference between mandatory requirements and non-statutory recommendations
• how to implement recommended strategies for preventing children’s involvement in violence
• how to respond to harm
• how to work with safeguarding partners
• how to navigate common scenarios, including when to act immediately, when to refer, and when to seek advice from safeguarding partners

Safeguarding Bedfordshire offers a range of training opportunties - click here for more info.