Acupuncture beats pupils' stress

A school in Somerset is offering its pupils acupuncture in an attempt to reduce their stress levels.

Stanchester Community School at Stoke sub Hamdon has turned to the ancient Chinese therapy as a way of calming unruly students in the classroom.

Headmaster Glynn Ottery said: "Parents are intrigued and really keen to do anything they can to help their child."

One pupil felt she had benefited from acupuncture, saying: "I don't throw things much anymore but I used to."

The idea for the clinic was suggested by English teacher Miss Heather Rabone who took a year out to go to China to learn the skill.

"We've had an enormously positive response from parents who are happy for their children to be involved in this," said Mr Ottery.

Seven children are receiving the treatment and the school said there is a waiting list.

"Acupuncture has worked now for millions of people throughout the world for 3,000 years, so there's a whole body of evidence which says it really does work and the youngsters here say it's working for them," said Miss Rabone.