Tuesday 5 January, 2010Sex and bullying claims at school

An urgent report has been ordered into allegations of schoolyard sex, drinking and drug-taking at one of New Zealand's largest secondary schools.

Education Minister Chris Carter has ordered the inquiry at Hutt Valley High School in Lower Hutt after allegations of sexual attacks and bullying.

Reports of students as young as 13 having sex in the bushes and students drinking and smoking behind school at lunchtime have also surfaced.

Carter says he is taking the allegations very seriously. He says he has spoken with the school's principal and knows parents will be looking for an assurance their children are safe.

The school has a roll of more than 1700 students.