Pupils called for a more broadly based curriculum

Overall, 95% thought subjects not taught in schools, such as driving and finance, should be on the curriculum, the software group RM found.

Meanwhile, 16% of the 379 children aged seven to 16 interviewed wanted to learn how to shop more effectively.

Psychologist Dr Pat Spungin, of Middlesex University, said pupils knew they needed a "number of life skills".

'Sophisticated understanding'

Career help was also a popular choice, with 22% of pupils wanting to learn about working on newspapers and in TV.

Meanwhile, 13% said they wanted to be taught how to run the country.

Dr Spungin, who founded the Raising Kids website, said: "The research shows that even young children have a sophisticated understanding of the adult world.

"They understand that they need a number of life skills to manage the two most important aspects of adult life, personal relationships and money."

She added: "The fact that such a high proportion of children would like to know how to resist peer pressure shows both the importance of the peer group at this age and the desire of children to be able to deal assertively with its pressures."