SCHOOLS in north Essex need to tackle the issues of teenage pregnancy, obesity and drug misuse, according to a new report.

Essex and Southend Healthy Schools Partnership says the number of teens becoming pregnant in the Colchester and Tendring area is among the highest in the county, and teachers have been told to improve sex education programmes.

Other issues highlighted by the partnership for action include chlamidya, drug abuse and child obesity.

Stephen Chamberlain, principal at the Clacton Coastal Academy, welcomed the information and said the academy worked constantly to address these issues.

He added: “These are our priority areas, which are well covered already. But the partnership’s data helps us to target the priorities and we are always happy to have more information.

“We have a duty to look after our young people so when they leave us, they can lead healthy lives.”

Tim Hull, the partnership co-ordinator and a director of CSN Consultancy, which works with primary care trusts in Essex and Essex County Council to support schools in achieving National Healthy Schools Status, said the data would help schools to tackle the problem areas.

He said: “The partnership is working with schools to help them exert energy where it is most needed and make informed decisions.

“With these issues, it recognises schools are not the only influence in young people’s lives. However, they have a role in providing information and changing attitudes.

“For teenage pregnancy, it’s about developing sexual relationship education programmes and making sure young people are aware of the services available, and trying to provide training for staff and Health professionals working with schools.

“We recognise the vast range of things schools have done, but obviously this highlights there is more to do.”

As well as the under-18 conception rate, other priority areas for schools in Tendring are substance misuse by young people and obesity levels in ten and 11-year-olds.

A total of 90 per cent of Tendring schools have achieved National Healthy Schools Status and are continuing to work towards the new enhanced healthy schools.

The teen pregnancy figures come after a decision to give the contraceptive pill to girls as young as 13 on the Isle of Wight sparked widespread criticism.

Under the scheme, teenagers who visit a chemist for the morning-after pill could also get a month’s supply of the contraceptive pill without their parents’ knowledge.

NHS North East Essex said it had no immediate plans to introduce a similar scheme in north Essex, but was considering ways in which young people could get easier access to services.

According to NHS North East Essex, about ten per cent of sexually-active people aged 24 and under have chlamydia.

In 2007, the proportion of under 18s becoming pregnant in Colchester was 36 per 1,000, and 41 per 1,000 in Tendring.

The organisation spends about £1.5million a year on treating sexually-transmitted infections and £700,000 on treating the 1,000 people who need HIV treatment and support.

The trust believes about three in ten youngsters have had sex before their 16th birthday.