ONE “lesson” is proving to be more popular than most at Lever Park Special School.

Not only is it helping pupils to be focused in their classes but is helping to wash away stress.

The pupils enjoy the benefits of Bowens’ Therapy, a relaxing form of massage, in special 45-minute classes.

Therapist Marie Hurst from Blackrod visits the school every Monday morning to administer the hands-on therapy.

And special music can be played for children who have the attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Special educational needs co-ordinator Carole Darbyshire said: “This light-touch therapy enables pupils to relax — and in some cases to go to sleep. It is having a fantastic effect on the pupils.”

Lever Park Special School teaches some of the most vulnerable children in the borough. The pupils have emotional and behavioural issues, which are often caused by traumatic experiences they have had, or medical conditions.

Mrs Darbyshire said she has seen the most boisterous of pupils become calmer and more focused in lesson.

She said: “When we first approached the pupils and said who wanted to do it, they were not interested.

Now they all want it.

“Some of our pupils lead stressful chaotic lives and this helps them to have some ‘me’ time. Some experience the gentle side of human nature through the treatment.”

In a typical Bowen treatment, the therapist, using only thumbs and fingers, makes small rolling moves over muscles, tendons and soft tissue which releases stress.

The school received £800 from the local authority through its cash panel scheme but the funding is soon to run out and the school is looking for more funding.

Headteacher Colin Roscoe said: “We would like this to become a regular part of the timetable.”

Pupil Kayne Seaton, aged 12, has had five sessions since the scheme was introduced at the start of 2010.

He said: “I feel really relaxed afterwards and it helps me focus more in class.

“I hope it continues in school.”