Are there differences between types of school?

A large study of bullying in schools across Ireland (O'Moore and others, 1997) found that at primary level, the size of school a pupil attended did not make it more or less likely that he/she would be bullied. However, the picture was different when it came to bullying others. It was found that reports of bullying others were highest in medium sized primary schools and lowest in large primary schools. Did size of school make a difference at secondary level? Yes, it was found that being bullied and bullying others occurred most often in small schools. Schools serving 'disadvantaged' areas (for example areas with high unemployment levels) had more pupils who reported bullying others, while no link was found between pupils being bullied and the type of area the school served. The study also found that a pupil was more likely to be bullied or to bully others in city primary schools rather than rural primary schools, however at secondary level the opposite was true.
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Article details

A M O'Moore and S J Minton 'Tackling Violence in Schools: a report from Ireland'. This report can be viewed online here.
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Author details

Professor Astrid Mona O'Moore has been involved in extensive research into bullying in Ireland. In 1993-94, she led the first nationwide survey of bullying behaviour in Irish schools, which looked at violence between pupils and also violence between pupils and school staff. In a more recent survey, she examined workplace bullying in schools. She is Co-ordinator of The Anti-Bullying Centre, at the Department of Education, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, The Republic of Ireland. Professor O'Moore may be contacted by email.
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