BULLYING is not new. It has been around since time immemorial - and is in a way part of the process of growing up. Children test themselves against each-other, jostle for position, form cliques and gangs. No matter what schools do to try to prevent it, a certain amount of bullying is bound to go on.

What is shocking about a new report from York St John University is how widespread it appears to be in York schools.

A four-year-survey of thousands of primary and secondary school pupils in the city revealed that more than 2,000 primary-age youngsters and almost 1,000 11- to 16-year-olds had reported being a victim of bullying during sports-related activities at school.

The report defines bullying as 'an aggressive behaviour, where there is intent... to harm the victim'. It doesn't make clear what forms the bullying took - whether it was name calling, exclusion by gangs, or something more physical. But it was prompted by everything from weight and race to homophobia. The effect on the victims is easy to imagine.

Much of the bullying took place in school changing rooms before and after sport, when teachers were not present to stop malicious behaviour. And the report highlights the fact that schools are not doing enough to tackle the problem.

It is possible to over-protect children. They need to experience a certain degree of rough and tumble if they're to learn how to be able to stand up for themselves.

But persistent, malicious bullying is something quite different. It can cause lasting damage to a child's self-esteem, and to their ability to form friendships.

This report should act as a wake-up call to schools to try harder to tackle the issue.