Bullying rife in schools: report

A NATIONAL study has revealed that one in four schoolchildren from years four to nine say they are regularly bullied.

The study, commissioned by the Federal Government, surveyed 7,000 children from 124 schools across the country.

It found bullying peaked in the final years of primary school, with 32 per cent of those students targeted, News Limited reports.

According to the study, which recommended changes to the way schools deal with the issue, almost half of students in year nine were either bullies or being bullied.

Many had also lost confidence in the ability of teachers to protect them, News Ltd reports.

According to the study, bullying in NSW was well above the national average in years four, five and six.