Bananas on school GCSE exam menu

Teachers have been handing out the bananas

A school has ordered hundreds of bananas in a bid to improve its pupils' performance in exams.

Mozart is also being played in preparation sessions and lavender-laced tissues are being given to nervous pupils, at Whitecross High School.

Tim Knapp, deputy head of the Hereford school, said potassium contained in the bananas would raise the students' energy levels.

"It's a very good morale booster and shows the children we care," he said.

Nerves calmed

Staff, including Mr Knapp, tried out the programme for themselves last year, even sitting one of the exams, and said they were pleased with the results.

Mr Knapp said the bananas were just part of a range of ideas the school had to help the children.

"These things all show the children we care about them and are trying to help," he said.

"Some students will be nervous before the exams and may not have eaten so the bananas come in useful."

The school has 180 pupils sitting exams this year.