NINE in 10 pupils suffer from school-related stress and parents are "out of touch" with their children's concerns, a report claims.

The figures show that youngsters are just as affected by stress as their parents.

And 90 per cent of those polled said it was school related.

The School Gate survey found that more children worried about doing well at school before issues like drugs and alcohol, bullying, future education and friendships.

But researchers say parents appeared out of touch with their concerns.

Over half of parents thought their children worried most about friendships at school.

This was followed by fitting in (36 per cent) and being trendy (33pc) - issues given much lower priority by their children.

The poll was carried out among 266 children aged between seven and 16; and 256 parents of children aged five to 16.

Educational performance

The findings show children are suffering stress because they are focused on educational performance and not concerned about being cool or attracting the opposite sex.

Around exam time, the number of calls to Childline increases dramatically.

William Kidd, director of Childline North West, said: "We get lots of calls from young people who are suffering from exam stress.

"What you have to remember is that they are constantly being tested from the age of seven right up until they go to university. For many young people, the fact they are tested so much can cause a huge trauma.

"They get very little advice about how to deal with it.

Exam worries

"We end up taking loads of calls from young people after the exams are over as a result of this."

The research found that girls were more worried about doing well at school than boys, whose main concern was people taking drugs and alcohol.

The survey was commissioned by RM, a supplier of computer technology to UK education.

Phil Hemmings, director of corporate affairs at RM, said the research suggests the reality of school life is at odds with the stereotypical view of declining standards and rebellious children.

He added: "It's very encouraging that today's youth is so focused on education and so aware of the things that might cause problems in their lives.

"However, it is clear that children are facing stress at school and parents need to be aware of these pressures and be prepared to help their children cope."