Pupils at secondary schools in Derby could be offered pregnancy tests, the morning-after-pill and tests for sexually transmitted diseases without their parents being informed.
The proposed measure is already offered at the specialist pupil referral unit Kingsmead, and a group of school nurses are now looking to expand the service across Derby to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate.
But the idea was condemned by Littleover Community School headteacher David Nichols, who said: "It would be irresponsible to connive with children who are sexually active without their parents' knowledge.''
Kingsmead's headteacher Sue Bradley said the service was there for people who needed help, but they did not actively promote it. Mrs Bradley declined to say how many pupils had taken advantage of the service for privacy reasons.
Mrs Bradley said: "We don't stand up to young people and say 'come and get your condoms' – they have to approach the school nurse through a confidential session. It isn't a huge number of people who have accessed the service but, for those who have, it has been a service they needed."
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