Likewise. I remember being backed against a wall, lads a lot bigger around me. I was lifted up the wall punched in the stomach, looked up and saw the teacher almost with fear in her face, too scared to stand up for a student.
Not all of my teachers were like that thankfully, but that is the root of the problem. Teachers are too scared to deal with incidents like mine.
Can they? At least in the UK you get the stupid "child rights/abuse" nonsense as soon as they try any sort of disciplinary action... Ant the bullies well aware of this situation.
Yes, they can, and the teacher can also get into trouble for not defending children too. Some bullies when they are 15 can be terrifying which is I think the real reason teachers don't confront them. The bullies aren't criminal masterminds and legal experts, they just claim foul on all discipline.
I think you're right on both points: yes, teachers can apply reasonable force [1], but as you said, teachers might not actually be physically able to restrain them without a risk.
Not all of my teachers were like that thankfully, but that is the root of the problem. Teachers are too scared to deal with incidents like mine.