Teachers’ unions have said that schools need to become safer after it was revealed that over £2 million has been paid out in compensation by Scottish schools since 2004.

According to figures released this month, £1.5 million was paid out to injured staff, while another £600,000 was given in compensation to pupils, STV reports.

One claim was from a school worker who tripped over a carpet in West Dunbartonshire and was paid £4,000.

Another came from a pupil who fell on the school steps in Glasgow and was awarded £29,000 in compensation.

Sources from teachers’ unions said it is not satisfactory that staff are having to claim for accidents that could easily be avoided if education facilities were safer.

Occupiers of schools have the same responsibility to prevent injury as any other landowner so anyone who suffers from an accident on school premises should seek the advice of a solicitor specialising in personal injury claims.