 There is a ''desperate'' shortage of school nurses despite a Government pledge four years ago to increase the numbers, says a nursing leader.
Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said children were storing up problems for later life because nurses could not cope with the demands of looking after so many pupils.
One school nurse currently looks after around 10 schools, which can be as many as 2,000 children, according to the union.
Although they do a good job, the nurses have not got enough time to work across a full range of issues, including childhood obesity, contraception and alcohol, it said.
The college estimates the UK needs around 6,000 school nurses - double the current figure.
In 2004, the Government said there should be one full-time nurse for every secondary school and its cluster primary schools in England by 2010.
But the Government is highly likely to miss this target, according to the college.
It said the deficits crisis in recent years was partly to blame, with nurses axed by cash-strapped trusts.
''This is what happens when you get caught in short-term thinking in order to bridge your deficits,'' Dr Carter said.
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