Parents do not trust the education system, claims a survey.

A survey of parents with young children found that 61% of those polled did not trust the school system.

And that 31% would at some point like to see their children taken out of the school system and taught at home.

Although suggesting a more positive view of schools, parents rated drugs, crime and high living costs as bigger potential problems for young people than a poor education.

The findings were from a poll of parental attitudes in a survey commissioned by motor company, Vauxhall Motors.

The survey, which questioned people expecting babies or those with children under five, also found many families anticipating that their children would work abroad.

Over 70% of parents said that they expected their children to live or work overseas.

Career ambitions

Parents also reflected concern over high house prices, with a large majority wanting their children to leave home when they reached adulthood, but with 83% worrying that their children would not be able to afford a home.

In terms of the aspirations of parents, the most desirable choices of career for their children were identified as law, finance, information technology and medicine.

But only 8% of parents wanted their children to go into public services - and only 5% of parents wanted their children to learn a trade such as plumbing or building.

The research also found that many parents wanted to instil an ethical awareness in children, with 94% of parents planning to teach about the environment and 41% planning to bring up children "within a religion".

The survey was commissioned as part of the motor company's centenary in 2003.