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In one situation where I'd been assaulted twice by a pupil it became necessary and appropriate to contact the police.

I asked to talk to a local officer in person.  Instead I was put through to a call centre and told I had to talk to an officer who I didn't know and couldn't see over the phone.  In the process of the call I mentioned that I had also been assaulted by another student. The police demanded details and started action against this girl even though I wanted no action taken against her (suffice to say this message was not passed to her). 

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU TELL THE POLICE.

MissedOpportunity:

The teacher feels the school have not handled the issue correctly

Do you mean she intends to report her management to the police?

If she is continually being told to f""k off and her management don't take reasonable measures to prevent the  harassment, she should get legal advice about it from her solicitor. Reporting it to the police could be appropriate in some circumstances.

I have arrested people for telling others to F**k off in a public place. It is an arrestable offence. (From the 'Public Order' offences - Section 5 to be specific).

So, yes, it is an offence to swear at someone in public (if it is believed it would cause harassment, alarm or distress to the person).

Realistically I doubt a pupil, or a student, could be arrested for swearing at a teacher in school because it isn't classed as a public place.

Some interesting responses from other posters (whose answers suggest they are teachers). Given that this would be an arrestable offence outside school, some seem to think its to be expected in a school from kids - part of the job. I'm wondering why, as it isn't in most other places where workers meet the public.

Foneypharoah : "I think perhaps you are a bit sensitive; you have to try to understand what sort of upbringing and families these little c--ts have come from."

An interesting opinion, given what the law says (see above). If the same kids who swear at teachers swore at a bus driver, or in a shop, or in a hospital with a pc present they could be locked up - so they probably wouldn't. They will know that these workers won't be dismissed as 'sensitive', but teachers are blamed for being abused/ sensitive, hence foul language being more common in schools. I never hear swaering from these sort of kids despite their upbringing, they know the result of swearing in front of me so don't do it. They also know its tolerated in school.

Have just asked B99 jnr who happens to be one of our thick police officers (though he does have a reasonable degree2:2). His reply was fairly brief and to the point!

It does seem to me as if this is more a case of a weak SMT in that they appear not to have dealt firmly with the situation.

garyconyers:

isn't classed as a public place.

Really? Why is that?

garyconyers:

Some interesting responses from other posters (whose answers suggest they are teachers). Given that this would be an arrestable offence outside school, some seem to think its to be expected in a school from kids - part of the job.

Completely agree. Why should we think it is part of the job? Why should we be unsurprised if a students swears at a teacher - police officers don't put up with it so why should we?

My colleague will apreciate this post. Thank you.