Magister Educationis - MEd / This study aimed to ascertain in what ways violence and crime influence the teaching and learning programme in schools in a disadvantaged community. The context is a primary school in an informal settlement in Samora Machel, Philippi, in the Cape Flats, where violence is endemic. The study shows that violence does not occur in school playgrounds and areas around the school only; classrooms are becoming common sites for violence. This study sought to establish teacher and learner experiences of violence at school, and the role of school management and parents in dealing with it, with a specific focus on school policies on discipline and how violence affects teaching and learning. The investigation also included learner behaviour during recess.