HIGH-flying pupils are being given relaxation classes to help them cope with the pressure of being considered gifted and talented.

Sacred Heart Primary School in Westhoughton is teaching pupils how to relax their muscles and giving them techniques they can use at home.

Teacher Martin Johnson said: "A lot of the children identified as gifted and talented can feel under a lot of pressure. They are asked to do an awful lot of things."

As well as their ordinary studies, talented pupils are often chosen to represent the school at different events, and other pupils regularly turn to them for help.

"They are often pulled in several directions," said Mr Johnson. "There is peer pressure when sometimes other children can ask a lot of them."

Alwynn Cartmell, who runs the Well Being Workshop Worldwide based in Bolton, normally provides relaxation classes for stressed office workers and people taking part in conferences.

The part-time supply teacher recently carried out her first hour-long session in the school hall with 30 pupils from years five and six.

Equipped with pillows and loose clothing, the pupils -- initially sceptical -- learned yoga-style exercises.

Alwynn said: "I relax the physical body first, then move into the mental and emotional side."

She tries to make the children more aware of how they are carrying themselves, for example she will tell children to roll their shoulders down if they are hunching them towards their ears.

Alwynn said: "I suppose really what I am teaching them is body awareness. If you are in your head all the time, you are not aware of your body until it hurts."

The youngsters are also taught five-minute relaxation techniques which they can use at home or in class without anybody else noticing.

Alwynn said children could accumulate a lot of tension in their neck and shoulders, by leaning over desks when they were writing and carrying heavy school bags around.

Mr Johnson said: "They all came back relaxed and said they feel better now about what they have to do.

"They really surprised themselves. They weren't sure what to expect."

More regular relaxation sessions are being planned for the future, with Alwynn tailoring exercises to suit individuals in each group.

It is hoped the classes will also build the children's confidence and increase their concentration levels.

She became interested in relaxation techniques after taking part in a evening class yoga group.

She has taught relaxation classes in special schools and has even taught Princesses from the Dubai royal family.