MORE Kent schools could bring in random drug tests for pupils.

County education chiefs are to team up with the Department for Education and Skills to assess the impact of testing across a group of secondary schools.

It follows the introduction of tests at Faversham’s Abbey School, which was the first in the country to implement random tests in 2005.

Now the Government wants to evaluate the pros and cons of testing by setting up a more extensive trial of voluntary testing at a group of other schools.

Headteachers of secondary schools are to be invited over the summer to take part in the study, which will be funded by the DfES.

It will evaluate if there are links between random testing and behaviour, attendance and academic achievement.

Parents will be asked whether they want their child to take part in the programme.

The Abbey School insists its testing regime has worked and helped pupils resist peer pressure and feel safer.

KCC leader Paul Carter (Con) said: "The past year at The Abbey School has seen ground-breaking work and some encouraging early results. The approach from the DfES is confirmation that this scheme is well worth exploring.

"Peer pressure on young people today is immense. Simply saying no is no longer an option; the very real threat of random testing might just give them the support they need to refuse drugs. This is not a case of catching children out but empowering them to make the right choices."

The study will be overseen by the Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team, an expert group responsible for tackling substance misuse by children and adults.

Amanda Honey, chair of KDAAT, said: "Our priority is to ensure young people, parents, staff and governors of schools understand the full implications of participating in the pilot and take fully informed decisions."

A report commissioned by KCC last year raised questions about the effectiveness of random drug testing in school, saying that while it sent a powerful message to pupils, it could be ineffective in curbing drug us and could actually damage children.

The report was compiled by the independent Kent Drugs and Alcohol Team.