RESULTS from a hard-hitting survey which asked Glasgow pupils about sex, drugs and mental health have been published.

The questionnaire, which caused a furore last year when it was revealed it would include explicit questions, found that some pupils had engaged in sexual intercourse from as young as 13.

Pupils in fourth year were also asked to complete a substance use survey, but as only 14% of the total roll participated, it advised that results should be treated “with caution”.

However, a Glasgow City Council spokesperson said there was a “growing concern” around vaping.

The survey results showed that more pupils (28%) had tried vaping than smoking (18%).

The spokesperson added: “Although we recognise appropriate usage by adults, there is a growing concern around increasing numbers of young people vaping. In partnership with NHS Health Improvement colleagues, training and resources shared with school staff about issues related to vaping for teaching and learning purposes have improved.”

One of the most stark statistics in the survey revealed almost a third – 27% – of pupils said they sometimes go to bed or to school hungry.

A council spokesperson said: “Schools are very good at knowing their community and taking the appropriate steps to target the needs of their families.

“A number of our schools will provide support via parent councils and food banks and we also have the Glasgow’s Holiday Food programme during school holidays to help support families when schools are closed. 

“A large percentage of our families also qualify for free school meals – this is over and above the universal offer for all P1 to P5 in the city.”

Fifty-one percent of pupils took part in the survey, which is equivalent to 23,323 out of a potential 45,522 P5 to S6 pupils.

When asked about relationships, 10% of S4 to S6 pupils said they had had sexual intercourse. Disturbingly, 15% of those said they were 13 or under when they first had intercourse, 20% were 14 while 27% were 15.

Thirty percent of P5 to S3 pupils had been bullied in the last year – with 80% of it taking place at school.

Councillor Christina Cannon, city convener for education, communities and equalities, said: “It is so important that we listen to young people and give them a voice to air their views and speak about the difficulties they have in their lives so that we can then design services to support them.”

She added: “I hope the publication of our responses brings to a close all the misinformation and scaremongering that was circulated last year which could have resulted in data that is not truly reflective of our young people.”

The health and wellbeing census is due to be presented to councillors sitting on the education, skills and early years city policy committee on March 9.