A PRIMARY school in the Cotswolds is using a special technique to boost children’s concentration and wellbeing.

Shipston Primary School has introduced Mindfulness, which is increasingly being used in the workplace, the armed forces and most recently, in education.

The meditation practice, which helps children to focus and lower stress levels, was recently shown to improve pupils’ school performance in a study carried out by scientists at the University of Exeter, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and the Mindfulness in Schools Programme.

Since January, 10 and 11-year-olds at the school have been taking part in a nine-week Mindfulness programme from Mindful Beginnings Ltd.

Each week children take part in a fun and interactive session which teaches a distinct Mindfulness skill.

Keelie Woodwardm who led the course with Rachel Tame, said: “Mindfulness allows us to calm our minds so that we can live more in the present moment and deal more skilfully with whatever life throws at us, whether it’s good or bad.”

Headteacher Christian Hilton said results had been encouraging

“We want our pupils to be confident, focused and happy learners and the feedback that we have received from children and staff taking part in the sessions has been overwhelmingly positive," he said.

"As well developing attentiveness, we want to help our children to improve their communication skills so they are better prepared in the future for education and work.”