Pupils aged 10 meditate to relieve exam stress

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Children aged 10 and 11 at Park Hill Junior School in Croydon will learn breathing techniques after teacher Simon Yearley noticed that some showed worrying signs.

Mr Yearley, head of year six, said: "They are under a lot of pressure. You can see it in their body language. They walk along school corridors looking tense and ill-at-ease. It's an incredibly stressful time of the year."

The move comes amid signs that the science, maths and English exams will be scrapped. The Standard reported yesterday that science tests for 11-year-olds will be abandoned from next year, paving the way for the abolition of the exams altogether. Pupils aged 11 and 14 are tested, with the results determining the school's place in national league tables.

Mr Yearley said: "They all realise their results will reflect directly on the school and they are anxious to do well." Twenty children at Park Hill attend half-hour lessons every Friday with meditation teacher Sue Bolton. She takes them through exercises to control their breathing and improve their concentration.

Pupil Helen Springer, 11, said: "I knew meditation had a proven record so I was very curious to try it out. It has had a really positive effect so far. I don't get so annoyed at my brother when he irritates me and I don't answer back. I'm blocking out distractions and negative feelings. When I get a difficult exam question I don't freak out as much as I used to."

Mouna Ellebbane, 10, said the deep breathing made her feel a lot calmer. "We've been taught to shut our eyes and count to 10, but to start again if we stop at any point," she said. "It keeps my nerves under control."

Dominic O'Donnell, 10, was dreading the English exam until he started attending the classes. He said: "Since meditation I feel much more relaxed. I practise breathing exercises at least twice a week."