One in five teachers say their pupils use cannabis at school including some who are still primary-aged, a poll has found.
A survey of almost 4,000 teachers found many pupils are abusing drugs and alcohol on school grounds – with ketamine and cocaine also rife.
The NASUWT union, which conducted the study, said substance abuse is contributing to ‘violent and abusive’ behaviour in class.
It called on the Government to take more action to stop pupils accessing drugs as schools ‘cannot solve it alone’.
The poll found 19 per cent of teachers said their pupils used cannabis within school, and 9 per cent said pupils used spice.
Meanwhile, 13 per cent were aware of pupils using nicotine pouches or snus in school, 7 per cent said the same of alcohol, and 5 per cent said it of other drugs.
The most commonly-cited drugs aside from cannabis were ketamine and cocaine.
The poll also found 4 per cent said pupils had used nitrous oxide – or laughing gas – in school.
One in five teachers say their pupils use cannabis at school including some who are still primary-aged, a poll has found (pictured: file photo)
A survey of almost 4,000 teachers by the NASUWT union found many pupils are abusing drugs and alcohol on school grounds – with ketamine and cocaine also rife (pictured: the NASUWT flag)
The respondents were all secondary teachers aside from a very small handful of those in primary schools.
However, five primary teachers said they were aware of pupils using cannabis in school and one primary respondent said pupils drank alcohol in school.
One teacher said: ‘They tend to present as disengaged from school once they become habitual or heavy users of cannabis or alcohol.’
Another said of drug-taking pupils: ‘They are not focusing in class; they are usually very tired and will often sleep in the lesson if not noticed.’
A third said: ‘They become volatile and disconnected and are hard to engage or refuse to take ownership of their studies.’
Matt Wrack, NASUWT Acting General Secretary, said: ‘Not only are many of these activities illegal or prohibited for young people aged under 18, they are contributing to the rise we are seeing in disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour in schools.
‘NASUWT teachers tell us that along with increased tiredness and lack of focus and interest in learning, they are causing irritability, mood swings and erratic behaviour among the pupils they teach.
Matt Wrack (pictured), NASUWT Acting General Secretary, said drugs are ‘contributing to the rise we are seeing in disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour in schools’
‘This is clearly not an issue that schools can solve alone, we need greater action from government and other expert services to help deter young people from using or accessing illegal or prohibited substances.’
The survey also showed energy drinks which send pupils ‘hyper’ are becoming a problem, with 71 per cent of teachers saying these were consumed in school.
Meanwhile, 6 per cent said they knew pupils used gambling websites at their school.
A respondent said: ‘The gambling issue seems to fly under the radar a lot but it’s a very real concern, especially for the post-16 students.
‘Some are not sleeping and instead gambling all night and come into school half asleep.’
The NASUWT is calling for partnerships with health, police and youth justice services to solve the problem, and for every school to have a counsellor.
The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.
