Concerns raised over alarming rise in number of teachers and SNAs missing work over assaults in schools

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said SNAs had 'borne brunt' of assaults in schools. Photo: PA

Sean McCarthaigh

There has been a sharp increase in the number of teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) forced to miss work as a result of being assaulted in schools.

New figures provided by the Department of Education show the total number of teachers and SNAs who have had to take leave from work due to being assaulted has almost trebled in the past five years.