A total of 2,160 parents took the survey and 87% of them said their child had been bullied in the last 12 months and 77% reported their child was bullied more than five times.

More than 71% of parents said their child had been physically hurt by a bully and 30% of those needed to see a doctor. Parents said that more than 40% of racist bullying involved violent attacks.

More than 26% of parents said their bullied children had special needs and of those, 51% were statemented or receiving extra help.

A total of 60% said their children had taken time off school due to bullying. 65% of parents had kept their child at home for safety reasons and 63% of those children had missed more than five days at school.

72% of parents were unaware that they could be prosecuted for keeping their child at home as an unauthorised absence.

Were complaints taken seriously?

Only 56% of parents who complained to the school felt their concerns were taken seriously and 74% of parents felt that measures taken by the school didn't work with 83% saying there were further instances of bullying after a complaint.

33% of parents whose child had been bullied were worried their child might be suicidal and 32% sought help from a doctor or health visitor with 84% finding the doctor helpful.

Just 17% of parents had tried to get a copy of their child's school record but 48% of those parents had difficulty.

More than 26% of parents didn't know if their child's school had an anti-bullying policy.

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