Headteacher savagely beaten by pupil: 'Schools should not become jails' #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

A HEADTEACHER who was beaten so badly by a pupil he had four metal plates inserted into his face has spoken out in the wake of the tragic death of Ann Maguire – but warns that schools should not become "jails".

Kieran Heakin and his wife Angela [CAVENDISH]

Kieran Heakin, head at St John the Baptist Primary School in Burley, Lancashire, has been attacked twice in his teaching career.

In 2009, he was so savagely beaten by a former pupil that he lost his hearing and had to have four metal plates built into his face. 

Then in 2011, he was throttled and punched in his office by a parent who had come to see him. 

But, despite the two horrendous ordeals, Mr Heakin said he does not believe schools should become "jails" filled with security guards.

Instead, he believes more mentors and support staff are needed to address problems early on, before they escalate.

Mrs Maguire was knifed to death on Monday in front of her pupils at Corpus Christi Catholic College.

The 61-year-old teacher was just months from retiring from the school where she had worked for more than 40 years.

Mr Heakin after the attack which left him needing four metal plates to be placed in his face [MEN]

There is more violence because pupils have lives which are more difficult today than ever before

Kieran Heakin, headteacher at St John the Baptist Primary School

Mr Heakin said: "What has happened in Leeds is utterly tragic and is incredibly rare. 

"This is the only time a teacher has been killed at school and violence at that level is not a common thing. 

"However lower level violence is a problem but security and check points are not the answer because of the job schools have to do. 

"You can't talk to a parent or a pupil through a screen - you have to be accessible. It's also impossible to really secure schools from weapons. 

"There is more violence because pupils have lives which are more difficult today than ever before.

"They have social media worries and sometimes they don't know what home they are going to because they have three separate parents - who don't get on." 

Union leaders agreed that other teachers shared Mr Heakin's concerns. 

Ann Maguire was stabbed to death on Monday [PA]

Blackburn NASUWT representative Claire Ward said: "A lot of teachers are trained to safely restrain pupils but I think some could do with more support. 

"Teachers do fear what would happen if something went wrong when they are restraining pupils.

"Learning mentors are excellent, especially in difficult schools. 

"They get to know families and pupils and spot problems before they begin. 

"The world has changed - physical violence is still rare but respect for teachers has dropped. There is more verbal and cyber abuse of teachers than there used to be." 

A 15-year-old arrested over the death of Mrs Maguire will continue to be questioned by police today, after officers were given permission to carry on holding the boy.