ATHERTON pupils have been learning about how to say no to drugs with the help of a Life Education caravan at Howe Bridge School to learn more about drugs prevention and health issues.

The caravan is owned by the Rotary Club and sponsored by Wigan Council.

It travels around to schools in the area teaching children from nursery through to year six.

The children are taught in small groups, in the caravan which is usually located in a playground for several days.

Sue Elliott, one of the two life educationalists who serve all the primary schools in the Wigan Metropolitan area, said: "Life education is about helping children to make informed choices concerning their bodies.

"It's very much about the children's choices and the consequences of their choices.

"We teach about the consequences of saying no and of saying yes.

"We help children explore some of the knowledge about their bodies.

"But knowing that knowledge on its own doesn't work. We then help them explore the skills that they need to make choices.

"We look at the things that might make it difficult for them, such as peer pressures. For example -- why is it difficult to say no to your friends? What do we do if we make a mistake?"

Inside the caravan differs from a normal classroom. The atmosphere is less formal and the children call their teacher by her first name.

Active discussion is encouraged and simple information is given to the children by the use of illuminated displays but this lesson is more about give and take than just more facts for the children to remember.

It is deliberately made slightly different to a traditional teaching situation so that they can feel comfortable while discussing tough issues.

Mrs Elliott said: "There are a lot of emotive subjects. We do cover drugs and we do cover feelings. It is very much a child-centred approach, with lots of open questions."

Under Sue Elliott's firm, but caring, leadership the children are free to explore their own ideas, opinions and attitudes without the worry of getting a right or wrong answer.

Mrs Elliott added: "The children are all entitled to their own opinion. They may change them if they wish to but we must respect each other's opinions and hopefully learn from them."

"I think the most important thing for me is that, in teaching, we may teach them that two add two makes four. But there are times in children's lives when we need to teach them that they are unique, special individuals. That they are capable of whatever they want to be capable of and they must respect themselves and others for that difference and uniqueness."

Ten-year-old Grace Hill, of Y6, said. "I thought it was very interesting. The best bit was when we all went into groups and talked."

Nine-year-old Alexandra Fairhurst, of Y4, said: "It was good, we pretended we were in a spaceship.

"I learned that you can fill your lungs with tar if you smoke, so I won't be smoking because it might stop me breathing."

Five-year-old Rachel Fairhurst, of Y1, said: "We talked about food and the body."

Headteacher of St Michael's C E Primary School, Howe Bridge, Mr Johnson, said: "It is important because it deals with aspects of the human body, healthy living and how we should look after ourselves."