In a letter home, the head described the behaviour as deeply disappointing and totally unacceptable and asked the parents to work with the school to make this clear.

She says: “Only one parent was willing to work with me. The rest refused to believe the evidence, argued with me, accused me of bullying their sons and ostracised the other mother for about a year and a half.”

“It’s mortifying for a parent to hear their child has been a bully. It really sets the emotions racing.”

Parents naturally want to protect their children and for this group of “fierce parents” this was the right way to behave.

It meant that although the children had apologised at school their parents had backed up their poor behaviour.

It led to an “uncomfortable atmosphere” for years afterwards, says the head.

Prof Dieter Wolke, of Warwick University, an expert in the psychology of childhood bullying, says bullies can often fall into two types – “pure bullies” and “bully-victims”.

He says “pure bullies” are often very good at reading social situations, nice to adults and popular with many of their own age group.

By contrast “bully-victims” can sometimes have poor self-control, easily fly off the handle and exhibit aggressive behaviour.

The “pure bully” will be controlling a situation while the “bully-victim” does the dirty work, says Prof Wolke.

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