i used to get some of that treatment nigel around the same years.i was fortunate though in that i joined a boxing club.the bullies did'nt know what to do with a straight left!
mind you it did'nt help much at sea cadets when a boy from the "approved school" challenged me and kicked my face in.no gentlemanly fisticuffs there!
i bowed out of that organization after that.
God bless pete