VOTE: School bans fizzy drinks (From The Bolton News)

VOTE: School bans fizzy drinks

7:54am Monday 28th January 2008 in

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FIZZY drinks have been banned from a Bolton school in an attempt to boost the health of pupils.

Teachers at Smithills High also hope the move will improve the attention span of youngsters in class.

Water has been made freely available to all pupils, who have been told anybody seen with a can of pop will have it confiscated.

The decision was taken by the senior management team and follows the high school's successful bid for the Healthy Schools award, which it received last year.

Assistant headteacher Chris Wormald said: "The decision to ban cans at Smithills reflects the school's commitment to promoting a healthier lifestyle.

"The decision takes into account a host of issues, ranging from short-term behaviour and concentration in class to long-term tooth decay. By encouraging pupils to drink still water from re-usable plastic bottles, the collection of cans for re-cycling is also removed."

Senior managers say preventing pupils from drinking fizzy drinks will improve their concentration in class, as the additives are linked to hyperactive behaviour.

There have also been instances of pupils taking cans to school and selling them at a profit to their peers.

Deputy headteacher Chris Roberts told parents of the move in the school's newsletter. He said: "Schools are about much more than simply learning subjects. At Smithills School we want our pupils to develop healthy habits and live healthy lifestyles.

"We are very proud to have achieved Healthy School status.

"I'm sure parents will appreciate that we have every right to control what pupils consume on premises and will feel reassured to know their children are spending money wisely on healthy food and drinks rather than on cans of pop."

The school already has a number of initiatives in place to encourage young people to develop healthy eating habits.

They include providing healthy snacks and drinks at break times and ensuring school meals are nutritious.

The school got rid of its drinks vending machine three years ago and now water is freely available. Since the ban was introduced teachers say "very very few cans" have been confiscated.

Cllr Margaret Clare, member of Bolton Council's healthy overview and scrutiny committee, said the school was setting an example to others.

She added: "The committee works with Bolton Primary Care Trust and we do make health recommendations but cannot force schools to enforce them. This is an idea I welcome.

"What is the point if youngsters are being educated about healthy eating and then are drinking soft drinks, full of additives and sugar at break times? Schools are the perfect environment where young people can make educated choices. It is not taking choice away from them."

Other schools in the borough say they are always considering ways to encourage young people to be more healthy.

Assistant head of Harper Green in Farnworth, Sara Cain said: "We have taken the vending machines out of our school. Children cannot purchase soft drinks at school, we only have healthy drinks and water is free.

"If the school thought there was a problem with soft drinks being brought into premises, we would look into the issue."

Head of Withins School in Breightmet, Phil Mather said: "We already encourage young people not to bring soft drinks on to the premises. We provide pupils with smoothies and other alternatives. Schools across the borough have very positive initiatives in place to encourage young people to be healthy."