One child in every classroom has been bullied every single day over past six months, survey suggests.
Almost half (45 per cent) of 11 to 16-year-olds questioned said they had been bullied face-to-face, and more than a third (34 per cent) have been bullied online, at least once in the last six months.
A survey, from the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), suggests that 4 per cent of pupils are being bullied face-to-face or online every day – which it says is the equivalent of one child in every classroom.
More than four in five (87 per cent), of the 1,000 children surveyed, saw pupils bullying each other.
Three quarters of the children polled in England saw it at school, while one in three witnessed it online, and a quarter saw it in their communities, the research found.
The survey, released ahead of Anti-Bullying Week next week, also revealed that more than two in five (41 per cent) of children have witnessed adults bullying each other over the past six months.
Almost all of them (97 per cent) said they would like adults to show more respect for each other, with 98 per cent saying showing respect is important - even if you disagree with someone.
Martha Evans, director of the ABA, said: "Children who experience bullying are at higher risk of experiencing a range of mental health issues and leaving school with fewer qualifications.
"The impact of bullying can last well into adulthood.
"We need children to learn that we don't have to be best friends with each other or always agree with each other but this is never an excuse for bullying or hurtful behaviour.
"We are urging adults to role model the 'choose respect' message, and help us stop bullying in schools to prevent it from affecting so many children's lives."
