GMB says protective equipment should be considered where risk assessments show staff could face blades

SCHOOL staff should be given access to knife blankets where there is a clear risk of violent incidents involving blades, a union has said, amid growing concern over safety in schools and youth settings.

The call was made at the GMB Congress on Tuesday (Jun 9), where delegates warned that school support staff are increasingly being expected to deal with serious behavioural incidents, safeguarding crises and violent confrontations without proper protective equipment.

The debate will resonate strongly in west Wales, where recent incidents have brought the issue of youth violence into sharp focus.

In February, Milford Haven School was placed into lockdown after a teacher was assaulted during an incident involving a pupil reportedly armed with a bladed article. A 15-year-old boy was later charged with grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article on school premises.

The case followed the shocking attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford in April 2024, when two teachers and a pupil were stabbed. A teenage girl was later convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years in custody.

More recently, four youths aged between 13 and 17 suffered stab wounds during violence at Tenby railway station in April. British Transport Police later confirmed a number of arrests in connection with the incident.

GMB said the issue was not about creating fear in schools, but about recognising the reality faced by staff who are often first on the scene when serious incidents unfold.

Jonathan Coles, a GMB delegate, told Congress: “Support staff frequently manage challenging behaviour, respond to safeguarding crises, and undertake de-escalation work.

“Yet they are expected to do this without appropriate protective equipment.

“That’s why GMB is calling for the establishment of clear national standards requiring all academy trusts, local authorities, and specialist education providers to provide knife blankets wherever risk assessments identify potential exposure.

“Knife blankets, alongside consistent training on their use, offer a practical measure for the protection of education staff.”

Knife blankets are designed to help protect staff from slashes and stab wounds during emergency situations. The union says they should not be seen as a replacement for prevention, behaviour support, mental health services or proper staffing levels, but as one part of a wider safety plan.

Figures cited by GMB suggest more than 700 knife-related offences were recorded by police in schools in England and Wales last year.

The union is calling for clear national standards, proper training, and risk assessments which reflect the changing nature of violence faced by education staff.

The issue is likely to raise difficult questions for councils, schools and Welsh Government ministers about how far schools should go in preparing for rare but potentially catastrophic incidents.

Supporters of the proposal argue that staff should not be left defenceless when violence erupts.

Others may worry that protective equipment such as knife blankets risks normalising the idea that schools are dangerous places.

But after serious incidents in Milford Haven, Ammanford and Tenby, the debate over how best to protect staff and pupils is unlikely to go away.

PUPILS and teachers in Wales could see changes to the new GCSE English Language and Literature qualification after WJEC admitted “significant adjustments” may be needed only months after the course began being taught.

The qualification, introduced for Year 10 pupils in September 2025 as part of the new Curriculum for Wales, combines English language and literature into a single or double award.

WJEC said it had received concerns from schools about teacher workload and the manageability of delivering the new course.

The exam board is now consulting on possible changes, including the removal of some assessments from units. This could include changes to oracy assessments, which currently form a significant part of the qualification.

If approved, the changes would apply to Year 10 pupils starting the course in September 2026. They would not apply to pupils who began the qualification in September 2025, because some have already completed work and WJEC says grades must remain comparable within the same cohort.

Other changes already due from September 2026 include dropping the requirement for mandatory video evidence of oracy assessments, allowing either audio or video evidence instead.

WJEC also plans to clarify that a teacher may take part in group discussions where there are attendance issues or special requirements.

The Welsh Conservatives said the situation raised wider questions about the roll-out of the new curriculum.

Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Education, said: “Only months after this qualification started being taught, WJEC is already saying significant adjustments are needed. That should set alarm bells ringing across the Welsh education system.

“Teachers and pupils warned that too many assessments across the school year were adding pressure and creating burnout. They deserved to be listened to before this was rolled out, not after pupils had already started the course.

“If significant changes are already being considered only months after this qualification began being taught, then serious questions need to be asked about the Welsh curriculum. Teachers and pupils deserve a curriculum that is manageable and focused on raising standards.”

However, WJEC says the review is a response to feedback from schools and is intended to make the qualification more workable.

The new GCSE was designed to support the Curriculum for Wales by combining language and literature skills, encouraging pupils to study texts, spoken language, writing, context, culture and communication in a more integrated way.

Supporters of the reforms argue that a more joined-up approach better reflects how pupils use language in real life, and gives greater weight to speaking and listening as well as written exams.

But critics say the volume of assessment has placed extra pressure on teachers and pupils, particularly because several units involve non-exam assessment marked by schools and moderated by WJEC.

The consultation closes on June 19, with WJEC expected to confirm any agreed changes before the end of the summer term.

NEW PROVISION WILL SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN HAVERFORDWEST

EARLY years education in Haverfordwest has received a boost after Bishop Dorrien officially opened a new Flying Start setting at St Mark’s Church in Wales VC School.

The Bishop of St Davids cut the ribbon at the school in Merlins Bridge last week to formally launch the Little Lions Flying Start provision, which will support younger children and families in the area.

The new setting will provide funded early years childcare for eligible children from the age of two, with youngsters benefiting from dedicated facilities and support from trained staff.

Flying Start is a Welsh Government-funded programme aimed at giving children the best possible start in life through childcare, health visiting, parenting support and speech and language development. Eligible children can receive up to 12.5 hours of funded childcare a week during term time.

Little Lions is based at St Mark’s VA School in Haverfordwest and welcomes children from the age of two. The setting is part of Pembrokeshire’s wider Flying Start programme, which has expanded in recent years to support more families across the county.

During the visit, Bishop Dorrien praised the work being carried out at the school and the commitment shown by staff and families.

The Diocese of St Davids said the Bishop greatly appreciated the leadership of Mrs Gillespie, while recognising the dedication of staff, parents, carers and governors in helping children to thrive.

A spokesperson said the school had “a real school family” atmosphere, adding that Bishop Dorrien keeps all schools in the diocese in his prayers and asks for God’s blessing on pupils, staff and families.

Cover image:

Official opening: Bishop Dorrien cuts the ribbon to launch the Little Lions Flying Start setting at St Mark’s School in Haverfordwest.