Teachers across the UK are reporting a surge in misogynistic attitudes in schools, where students bark at female staff and block doors.
Research suggests it is driven by students mimicking public figures like Donald Trump and Andrew Tate, particularly through exposure via social media and online gaming platforms.
According to a survey conducted by the NASUWT teaching union, the majority of educators identified social media as the leading cause of worsening behaviour among pupils.
Female teachers were disproportionately affected, with many experiencing the most direct impact. Concerns were also raised about parents who challenge school rules or fail to take responsibility for their children’s conduct.
Female teachers were disproportionately affected, with many experiencing the most direct impact
GETTY
One teacher told the union: “A lot of the students are influenced by Tate and Trump, they spout racist, homophobic, transphobic and sexist comments in every conversation and don’t believe there will be consequences.”
Speaking at the NASUWT’s annual conference on Friday, General Secretary Patrick Roach highlighted the scale of the issue: “Two in three teachers tell us that social media is now a critical factor contributing to bullying and poor pupil behaviour.”
He added: “Pupils who believe it is their inalienable right to access their mobile phones throughout the school day – and use them to interrupt lessons, bully others, act out, or to garner respect from their peers.”
One primary teacher recounted how boys would refuse to speak to her because she is a woman.
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She said: “They follow Andrew Tate and think he is amazing with all his cars and women and how women should be treated. These were 10-year-olds.”
Other staff members said boys would bark at female teachers and block doorways, claiming this was as a “direct result of Andrew Tate videos”.
One teacher added: “Pupils watch violent and extreme pornographic material. Their attention spans have dropped. They read lots of fake news and sensationalised stories that make them feel empowered and that they know better than the teacher.”
Roach said the union had held “positive discussions” with ministers on addressing the issue but cautioned that measures such as limiting mobile phone use during school hours were insufficient.
One teacher told the union: 'A lot of the students are influenced by Tate and Trump'
GETTY
He said: “We now need a plan to tackle what has become a national emergency.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Education acknowledged the problem, stating: “We know the rise of dangerous influencers is having a damaging impact on our children, which is why we are supporting the sector in their crucial role building young people’s resilience to extremism as part of our plan for change.”
The department added that it is providing various resources to help teachers address these challenges and that a curriculum review is underway to ensure pupils gain the skills needed to navigate the evolving digital world.
“This is on top of wider protections being brought in for children with the Online Safety Act, to ensure children have an age-appropriate experience online,” the spokesperson said.
The Liberal Democrats argued that the NASUWT's findings highlighted the need for stronger action.
Munira Wilson, the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Toxic algorithms are pushing many children into dark corners of the internet, where sinister attitudes that cause terrible harm in the real world, including in our schools, are free to develop.”
At the NASUWT conference in Liverpool, delegates reported a rise in hostility - and in some cases violence - from parents when asked to discuss their child's behaviour.
Lindsay Hanger, a delegate from Norwich, said that in many schools across England, poor behaviour was being overlooked due to pressure to meet attendance targets “at any cost” and to avoid issuing suspensions or exclusions.
At the NASUWT conference in Liverpool, delegates reported a rise in hostility
PA
She said: “I think the government needs to go further, with a strategy to ensure that all parents of school-aged children are expected to uphold behaviour strategies or risk their child being denied their place in the classroom.”
Delegates at the NASUWT conference voted in favour of a motion directing the union to resist the adoption of “no exclusion” policies across the education sector - a response to campaigns advocating for the reduction or elimination of school exclusions.
In his address, Roach called for a “real-terms pay award for teachers this autumn that is funded fully,” warning that any offer falling short “will be met with the response from our members it deserves.”
Speaking to Schools Week, Roach confirmed that the NASUWT would proceed with a formal strike ballot in England if the government fails to act on recommendations from the independent pay review body for above-inflation pay rises.
Delegates also backed a motion requiring NASUWT leadership to reject any future merger with the National Education Union (NEU) or other unions.
The move reflects concerns among some members about Matt Wrack, the former Fire Brigades Union leader and frontrunner to succeed Roach, who is believed to support closer ties with the more left-leaning NEU.
