PA
A survey carried out by a teaching union suggests that almost a third of teachers have faced a false allegation from a pupil.
The poll, conducted by the NASUWT teaching union and the Tonight programme, found that a shocking 99 per cent of teaching staff are worried that their pupils may make a false claim against them.
And a staggering 30 per cent said they have already had a false allegation made against them by a student.
The results of the survey will be aired on the Tonight programme, 'Taking Control of the Classroom' which will examine the levels of allegations made against teachers.
The study also found that two-thirds of teachers would think twice about breaking up a fight between pupils in case any of the kids involved then went on to make up stories about them.
The general secretary of NASUWT, Chris Keates, said: 'For years the NASUWT has been collecting data, tracking allegations and supporting members who have had their lives and careers destroyed by false and malicious allegations made against them.
'Therefore, while the results of the survey come as no surprise, they do serve to highlight the continuing and significant risks facing teachers.
'99 per cent of teachers surveyed said that they were concerned that pupils may make a false allegation against them, yet more than four out of five do not feel that protections for teachers are adequate.'
Do you find these figures shocking?