The teachers at my junior school in particular were bullies, but bullied "mentally" rather than physically. They knew who the "popular" kids were, therefore in a p.e/sports lesson, they'd choose these kids as team captains, thus allowing them to choose their cronies first. When the "dregs" were left, teachers would stand by and watch these kids being insulted, and often reduced to tears - and guess which kids got reprimanded? "Don't be a baby x...go and join your team, and don't spoil it for everybody else". Popular kids were regularly given higher grades. One particular bitch of a teacher, was obssessed with talking about fashion with a few of the better dressed girls in the class, and this would often spill into teaching time..A couple of kids were chatting in the background once, and she pointed over and bellowed "Be quiet, you scruffy little ragamuffins, I'm trying to have a conversation!" Seriously, at the age of 10, I could recognise mental bullying! Another teacher "music" this time would insist that each class member would have to come to the front of the class and sing in front of everybody. Obviously the less confident the child was, the less likely they wanted to do it. He would happily tell kids that if they refused to do it ,they'd be kept in at breaktime. When they did sing he'd actually make derogatory comments about their singing ability, and allow the rest of the class to erupt into laughter.
Secondary school was a completely different kettle of fish (thank God). Teachers were very strict, but fair and never showed any sign of favouritism or mental cruelty.
