Pupil withdrawn over massage row

The pupils have been giving each other massages for six weeks

A mother has withdrawn her daughter from a West Sussex school after it introduced massages to help young pupils calm down before lessons start.

Youngsters at St Leonard's Community Infant School, in Horsham, are being encouraged to give each other massages in the scheme launched six weeks ago.

Susan Barraclough is now teaching her five-year-old daughter at home as she feels the therapy is "inappropriate".

The school has said it relaxes the children and helps with their learning.

If you're relaxed, you're more receptive for good learning Head teacher Helen Cobbin

Head teacher Helen Cobbin said: "We look at anything that is going to benefit the children for their learning and also for their individual personalities.

"If you're relaxed, you're more receptive for good learning."

Her views are backed by parent Karin Harris, who said she saw the massages as a "positive thing".

"It's a way of bringing all the children together, it's constructive, and I see it as being used to calm them down."

Improved behaviour

But Mrs Barraclough said she felt massages were more appropriate within the home.

"I just feel it's inappropriate for children from that age, and they're going to be doing it up to age 11 as well with anybody within the class," she explained.

The massages have been designed for children, with each technique named after an animal.

Teachers have said behaviour has improved at the school since the scheme was launched six weeks ago.