A randomised control trial to reduce bullying and other aggressive behaviours in secondary schools

In Australia bullying tends to peak twice in a school student\u27s life - firstly at age 1 0 to 12 and then during the two years following their transition to secondary school (Rigby, 1994; Slee, 1995b) This transition to secondary school is considered a critical period to intervene on bullying (Farrington, 1993; Rigby, 1997, 1999; Sharp, 1995; Stevens, Bourdeaudhuij, & Van Oost, 2000; Whitney & Smith, 1993). It is suggested that compared with primary schools, the change in friendship structures that accompanies the move to secondary school, large student numbers and the less consistent contact and fewer close relationships between students and staff are factors contributing to the increase in bullying at this age (Stevens, Bourdeaudhuij et al., 2000; Patton, 2000)..