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16/11/2007
'Nearly Half' Of Schoolchildren Have Tried Alcohol
Nearly half of 10-15-year-olds in England have drunk alcohol, an Ofsted study has found.
The study, which was carried out across 141 local authorities between April and June 2007, found that 48% of 10-15-year-olds had consumed alcohol, while one in five claimed to have been drunk at least once in the past four weeks.
One in six 14 and 15-year-olds admitted to getting drunk at least three times in the previous four weeks.
The study also revealed that 15% of children aged between 12 and 15 had experimented with illegal drugs, including heroin and cocaine.
On the subject of schoolwork, the study found that 79% of children wanted more fun and interesting lessons.
Four out of ten pupils wanted their classmates to be quieter and better behaved, while 35% said that they were stressed about schoolwork and 51% said that they worried about exams.
However, the survey uncovered some positive findings on children's health, with 86% saying that they considered themselves to be quite or very healthy. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said that they took part in sports or other activities such as cycling and running for at least 30 minutes on more than three-days a week.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) said that they have never smoked a cigarette, while 80% said that they had never tried illegal drugs.
Chief Inspector of Education Christine Gilbert said: "We urge policy makers, local authorities and schools to look hard at the findings and use them to influence their plans and actions.
"The survey presents much that is positive about life for children and young people today.
"However, it is also clear that more needs to be done to address children and young people's worries and concerns about how sage they feel; about exams and tests; and about what would help them learn better and where they need to go for help when they have a problem."
(KMcA)
The study, which was carried out across 141 local authorities between April and June 2007, found that 48% of 10-15-year-olds had consumed alcohol, while one in five claimed to have been drunk at least once in the past four weeks.
One in six 14 and 15-year-olds admitted to getting drunk at least three times in the previous four weeks.
The study also revealed that 15% of children aged between 12 and 15 had experimented with illegal drugs, including heroin and cocaine.
On the subject of schoolwork, the study found that 79% of children wanted more fun and interesting lessons.
Four out of ten pupils wanted their classmates to be quieter and better behaved, while 35% said that they were stressed about schoolwork and 51% said that they worried about exams.
However, the survey uncovered some positive findings on children's health, with 86% saying that they considered themselves to be quite or very healthy. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said that they took part in sports or other activities such as cycling and running for at least 30 minutes on more than three-days a week.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) said that they have never smoked a cigarette, while 80% said that they had never tried illegal drugs.
Chief Inspector of Education Christine Gilbert said: "We urge policy makers, local authorities and schools to look hard at the findings and use them to influence their plans and actions.
"The survey presents much that is positive about life for children and young people today.
"However, it is also clear that more needs to be done to address children and young people's worries and concerns about how sage they feel; about exams and tests; and about what would help them learn better and where they need to go for help when they have a problem."
(KMcA)
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