Pupils' daily dose of fish oil boosts exam performance

In the latest trial to suggest omega-3 supplements can lead to better grades, pupils aged 11 saw their marks in maths, English and science improve dramatically after taking the free capsules.

Scroll down for more...

The results showed the number of children achieving the national average in this year's Standard Assessment Tests had increased beyond expectation.

During the year-long trial 26 pupils sitting their SATs at Toft Hill Primary School in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, received a daily dose of the fish oil supplements.

In English, 68 per cent of them were expected to achieve the national average.

But after taking part in the trial 92 per cent met the required standard.

In maths, teach-ers expected 78 per cent of pupils would make the grade.

In fact 92 per cent attained the national average.

Scroll down for more...

The school also noticed a significant improvement in the concentration and behaviour of those pupils taking part.

The latest results follow an exclusive Daily Mail study last year which showed impressive improvements in children at a school in Hertfordshire who were given Eye Q fish oil capsules by manufacturer Equazen.

The seven and eight-year-olds began with an average reading age of nine months above their actual age.

After three months on the fish oil supplement they were reading at 18 months above their age.

In Bishop Auckland, the experiment began in January last year and saw a total of 59 children aged nine to 11 sign up to be given the supplements every morning.

It was so successful that by September last year more than 100 youngsters, two thirds of its pupils, had joined the scheme. Headmaster Richard Whitfield said: "The results have been outstanding with pupil concentration increasing significantly and the 2007 SATs results exceeding expectations.

"Unlike any other similar study we are looking at the benefits to every one of our pupils, not just those with special educational needs.

"The whole atmosphere in the school has become more positive and focused; we are not just referring to the remarkable attainment academically, as we have seen vast improvements in children's physical and social skills.

"I just hope this study will be of great interest to other head teachers looking to improve their school results and the well-being of their pupils."

The success of this and other trials led to Durham County Council inviting 5,000 teenagers to take free daily capsules containing a brainboosting blend of pure fish oil and evening primrose oil to improve their GCSE grades.

Last year a review by the Food Standards Agency said there was not enough evidence to show that giving children a daily dose of fish oil helps them get better grades at school.