Parents uptight after primary school gets pupils to give each other massages

By Nick Enoch


Last updated at 8:15 AM on 18th January 2012


Parents are up in arms at a primary school where youngsters have been giving each other massages before lessons.
The ten-minute massage sessions were introduced at Sheffield's Hartley Brook Primary School to help calm down pupils after lunch breaks.
School head Mrs Chris Hobson said the massage sessions have been a big success but some parents have withdrawn their children from the massage programme claiming it is 'inappropriate'.
The ten-minute massage sessions were introduced at Sheffield's Hartley Brook Primary School to help calm down pupils after lunch breaks
The ten-minute massage sessions were introduced at Sheffield's Hartley Brook Primary School to help calm down pupils after lunch breaks


Head of the 550-pupil school, Chris Hobson, said the massage 'makes such a difference to the way the children calm down and get focused on their work'
Head of the 550-pupil school, Chris Hobson, said the massage 'makes such a difference to the way the children calm down and get focused on their work'

The Massage In Schools programme is designed to help pupils relax and concentrate after energetic lunchtime playtimes.
Parent Rachael Beer who has two children at the school said: 'I just feel it is inappropriate for children touching each other. I do understand that children need calming down after lunch.
'I just think there are better relaxation techniques out there that can help with that, such as yoga, that have the same benefits as peer massage that don't involve them touching each other.
'I think children like their own personal space. 
'Many parents do feel the same way as me. If the head had consulted parents better, she would have a clear view of how parents feel about it.
'Other parents are telling me they didn't even know peer massage was being rolled out in school and they do feel uncomfortable with it.
'I have opted my children out of it. They are then sat doing the actions to peer massage. I feel that those 20 minutes could be better spent doing something more academic.'

MASSAGE IN SCHOOLS

The Massage In Schools programme (Misp) was introduced into the UK in 1999.
The association has branches worldwide, including Canada, Australia, Japan, Portugal and Switzerland.
Misp was founded by Mia Elmsater, from Sweden, and Sylvie Hetu from Canada.
They structured the programme for children aged four to 12 years old.
According to Misp, the youngsters who follow the massage techniques have lower stress levels, concentrate better at school and also sleep better at home.
She added: 'I think provision should be made for those children who are not taking part to be given some sort of work. I don't think peer massage is on the national curriculum.
'If my children want a cuddle, they can have a cuddle - we have lots of cuddles in our house.
'I don't think it is sexual - I just think it is inappropriate.'
Another mother added: 'They are never any calmer when parents come to collect them. I think I would have found it a bit strange if we were doing it when we were at school.
'They could just do something else like stop fizzy drinks - and maybe have some music or yoga.'
One parent who supported the scheme said: 'Apparently it is doing really well in other schools so it is worth a try. It might calm them down a bit. My daughter enjoys it and she even does it to me.'
Head of the 550-pupil school, Mrs Hobson, said: 'It makes such a difference to the way the children calm down and get focused on their work.
'Actually, they end up getting far more done in the afternoon than if they are still all a bit jittery from having been out playing football or running around with their friends or whatever.
'I first saw peer massage in one of the local schools in Sheffield and I noticed how calming it was for the children and how well they managed to get on with their work in the afternoons.
Some parents have withdrawn their children from the Massage In Schools scheme, claiming it is 'inappropriate'
Some parents have withdrawn their children from the Massage In Schools programme (Misp), claiming it is 'inappropriate'


'It is really just doing massage through the children's clothes on the shoulders and the neck and down their arms. It is completely unintrusive and the children seem to love it.

Hartley Brook's headteacher Chris Hobson
Hartley Brook's headteacher Chris Hobson
'I don't think it is inappropriate for children to touch each other. Children touch each other all the time - they swing each other round, they chase each other, they hug each other, they put arms round each other. For children, it is normal.
'The children choose their partners but obviously we respect parents' views. There is no enforcement about it at all but children are quite touchy-feely, they like being cuddled and they like being nice to each other.'
Carole Thrower from the Massage in Schools programme said: 'What we are teaching children is good for health and well-being and reducing stress.
'It is a very respectful programme so it involves the teacher or somebody in the school being trained to a very high standard and all the usual protections put in place .
'The children learn a simple massage routine on each other's back and it is for five or ten minutes a day.
'The most important part is that the children have to ask each other's permission.
'The children are learning in a very simple way it is their body and, as for who touches them, it is their right to say yes or no.
'It is a very good and simple way of children protecting themselves.
'The benefits are huge - it improves concentration and calms them down and they become more confident.
'It reduces bullying and improves behaviour, social skills and their friendship groups and social interaction. They become aware of signs of stress and it is very creative.'