ONE of the largest surveys of teachers ever to be undertaken in Wales has revealed more than one in eight would consider leaving the profession due to discipline problems and poor pupil behaviour.

In the survey by the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers Cymru, it was found that 78.3% of teachers claimed to have been verbally abused by a pupil.

The survey of nearly 500 teachers also found that nearly one in eight believe teacher morale is either low or very low and only 26.3% believe the National Assembly is doing a good job for education in Wales.

The figures have generally been supported by two Gwent head teachers who say unacceptable pupil behaviour is on the increase although low morale is also a consequence of bureaucracy, pay and terms and conditions.

Goff Davies, (pictured) head of Hartridge High School, Newport, said he was not surprised by the NASUWT findings.

He said: "If we had a survey of all staff in every school they would say pupil behaviour is the greatest concern. There's a lot of staff who by their 50s have had enough and if early retirement was available they would take it."

Mr Davies said it is a lack of respect for authority that is behind ill discipline. Ralph Heron, head of Pembroke Primary School, Chepstow, agreed verbal abuse was on the increase, despite initiatives to address the problem.

Mr Heron's school has a positive behaviour plan in place which works with most children. He said: "Schools haven't been sitting on their hands saying it's everyone else's fault and are putting in place practical measures to address the problem."

But Geraint Davies, regional official for NASUWT Cymru, said: "The results of the survey make depressing reading and are a poor indictment of the current education system. "Unfortunately what is coming through is not new. It is a simple but stark message that teachers throughout Wales are working under extreme pressures. It is a situation that can no longer be tolerated."