GLASGOW City Council has hit out at a union for claiming that safety measures have not been put in place at a school with an additional support needs base.

Members of NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union will be going on strike “in response to failures to address teachers’ concerns over violent and abusive pupil behaviour” at Bannerman High School in Baillieston.

But the local authority says the union's position is an “inaccurate reflection of the extensive, ongoing support by the council and senior management at the school”.

The union has issued instructions to members to refuse to teach pupils who are known by the school to be threatening and abusive.

READ MORE: Family ‘living in fear’ after thugs target taxi cab

However, Glasgow City Council has informed teachers they will be sent home without pay if they refuse to teach pupils.

Examples of alleged unacceptable behaviour at the school include brandishing a screwdriver and causing damage to the building, physically shoving and shouting at teachers, swearing and issuing verbal threats to assault staff, theft of property and blocking fire exits.

The union later confirmed with the Glasgow Times that the allegations were with respect to one pupil. 

They had agreed with the council and the school on some initial measures to ensure the safety of all teaching staff and to ensure that the needs of the pupils are met appropriately.

But they claim the council and the school management have failed to put in place all of the measures needed to restore order and safety.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “The position that has been outlined by the NASUWT is an inaccurate reflection of the extensive, ongoing support by the council and senior management at the school and it is deeply upsetting that the school is once again being dragged through the media.

“The safety of our staff is taken very seriously, and additional measures have been in place at the school to meet the needs of the teachers and support staff in the additional support learning base.

“The refusal to teach by some members can only be seen as victimisation of young people with significant needs.

“The school has a ratio of one teacher to every three pupils in the base as well as pupil support workers with individual support plans for young people.

READ MORE: Popular café shuts to 'transform into something new' amid cost-of-living crisis

“We do not recognise the characterisation of the council’s behaviour as bullying, nor have we threatened any member of staff.

“Our legal view was made clear to the NASUWT that refusal to teach an individual young person would be considered a breach of contract and have consistently engaged with the union and will continue to do so.”

NASUWT members have agreed to take strike action at the school on November 24, 29, 30, and December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: “The actions and systematic failures of the council are placing the safety of teachers at serious risk.

“No teacher should have to go to work expecting to be sworn at, verbally abused or threatened with violence by the pupils they teach.

“Glasgow City Council’s attempts to bully our members are indicative of a climate of fear that the council has allowed to develop at Bannerman school.”