Menu
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)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2013
Birmingham Children Service Could Be Handed Off If Improvements Not Made
Ofsted inspectors have warned that should the standard of children services in Birmingham not improve, the service will be handed over to the Department for Education. It is understood that Ofsted will inspect the services again later this month and if improvements are not made the department will take over before Christmas.
Birmingham Children Service Could Be Handed Off If Improvements Not Made
Ofsted inspectors have warned that should the standard of children services in Birmingham not improve, the service will be handed over to the Department for Education. It is understood that Ofsted will inspect the services again later this month and if improvements are not made the department will take over before Christmas.
29 January 2013
Proposal Will Allow Childminders To Accept More Children
New proposals will allow nurseries and childminders in England to look after more children, providing carers qualifications meet new standards. The proposals, due to come into effect in the autumn, would make more childcare places available and reduce costs for parents in the "long term", children's minister Liz Truss has said.
Proposal Will Allow Childminders To Accept More Children
New proposals will allow nurseries and childminders in England to look after more children, providing carers qualifications meet new standards. The proposals, due to come into effect in the autumn, would make more childcare places available and reduce costs for parents in the "long term", children's minister Liz Truss has said.
14 October 2014
Woman And Children Found Dead In Stoke-on Trent
An investigation is underway following the discovery of the bodies of a woman and two children at a house in Stoke-on-Trent. Police say they made the discovery after being called to an address in Sherwin Road at about 18:35 on Sunday. A woman and two children were pronounced dead at the scene. No details of the victims have yet been released.
Woman And Children Found Dead In Stoke-on Trent
An investigation is underway following the discovery of the bodies of a woman and two children at a house in Stoke-on-Trent. Police say they made the discovery after being called to an address in Sherwin Road at about 18:35 on Sunday. A woman and two children were pronounced dead at the scene. No details of the victims have yet been released.
31 August 2005
One in ten children suffers mental disorder, study claims
One in ten children has a clinically recognisable mental disorder, a new survey has claimed. The survey of children, aged between 5 and 16 in private households in England, Scotland and Wales, was carried out by the Office of National Statistics, between March and June 2004.
One in ten children suffers mental disorder, study claims
One in ten children has a clinically recognisable mental disorder, a new survey has claimed. The survey of children, aged between 5 and 16 in private households in England, Scotland and Wales, was carried out by the Office of National Statistics, between March and June 2004.
29 November 2004
Study finds children's rights not protected
A new study has found that the government is failing to protect the rights of vulnerable children. Revelations that the UK along with the US imprisons more children than any other countries reflect the ever growing problem of juvenile delinquency in Britain.
Study finds children's rights not protected
A new study has found that the government is failing to protect the rights of vulnerable children. Revelations that the UK along with the US imprisons more children than any other countries reflect the ever growing problem of juvenile delinquency in Britain.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Continuing cloudy through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, the rain turning lighter and patchier from the south as the night progresses. Winds remain light. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
