THERE are rather too many weeks for this and that, many of them downright frivolous, but the Government's 'anti-bullying week' carries a serious and worthwhile message.

Everyday life in a school is an almost unique experience for those of us who don't go on to join organisations like the army.

A mass of people, from all walks of life, living cheek by jowl under a general system of regimentation and, very often, under direction as a group and not as an individual. All to easily, it can become a very hostile environment.

Schools are big places - there are over 1,700 students at The Chase, for example - and bullying can very easily go undetected.

Even in its mildest form, it inflicts misery on the unfortunate victim and can destroy what is, for many, the happiest days of their lives.

Rooting out bullying completely is probably impossible, human nature seems too distressingly susceptible to it, and it is hard, really hard to police the school environment.

The most effective regulation comes from within and it is heartening that our report on anti-bullying measures shows that many schools rely on pupil education as a primary weapon.

When the wider school community decides something is unacceptable, then it is hard for bullies to act without the spotlight being shined on them, which is when, cowards that they are, they run.

The powers of school authorities to discipline in serious cases are heavily regulated, a 'Lord of the Flies' approach in reverse may be a more reliable approach.