Moray Council chief executive Karen Greaves discusses tactics to tackle violence in schools

Moray Council’s chief executive has said the local authority is looking at a range of “different tactics” to tackle violence in schools.

It was revealed last week that teachers have been attacked with knives, claw hammers, knuckle dusters and baseball bats in Moray schools over the last decade.

In the first half of 2025, there have been 503 attacks against school staff by pupils - last year there were 1142.

In response to the release of the figures, Moray Council said the numbers were “completely unacceptable” and now its chief executive has had her say.

Karen Greaves BEM, who took over the post in spring, said: “The violence in schools is something that we must try and reduce.

“It's really important for our staff and for the pupils themselves as well.

“The council has been looking at different tactics and a group has been coming together and looking at strategies, looking at what are the triggers, how to deal with them and how can they have proactive efforts to reduce the violence in schools.

“Our staff have got very good working relationships with parents and it is a partnership approach.

“I think when you've got violence and aggression incidents you really do need to have that partnership approach between parents and staff.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Ms Greaves also discussed social housing and how the council can respond to waiting lists that are going “through the roof” nationwide.

She admitted it is “tricky” to address the problem - but outlined a number of potential solutions.

Watch her full answer below.

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