VOTE: Worthing school's energy drink ban

Teachers at Chatsmore High School in Goring Street noticed a handful of students were having trouble following instructions in class '“ discovering they had been drinking high energy drinks, like Red Bull and Tesco's Kick, on the way to school or during break times.

So the decision was made to send a newsletter home to parents telling them their children should no longer drink them during the school day.

Not suitable

Anne Ward, acting head teacher, said: "We became aware of a handful of students drinking high-caffeine drinks while at school.

"It wasn't making them misbehave, but become less responsive in class and unable to follow instructions, and this was unusual.

"This is what alerted me and when I spoke to them, they told me what they had been drinking.

"It clearly says on the drinks' cans they are not suitable for children so I sent a newsletter home.

"We wanted to raise awareness among parents as well. The feedback we have had from parents has been very positive."

Students at the school are allowed to drink water in class.

Worthing High

The decision to ban caffeine drinks has been backed by other Worthing head teachers.

Rhys Price, assistant head teacher at Worthing High, said: "Being a healthy school, we have water dispensers which the students use.

"They fill up their bottles and then can drink water during class.

"I supervise the canteen and I see very few people drinking things other than water.

"We do not sell fizzy drinks on the site.

"We have not had any occasions where a student's behaviour has been affected by caffeine products."

Durrington High

Sue Marooney, head teacher at Durrington High, said: "As a healthy school, we want what all parents and schools would wish for; students to have a healthy lifestyle.

"We actively promote students bringing water into school and drinking it throughout the day.

"It helps to hydrate the brain and research has shown it supports learning."

Click here to find out more about the healthy schools scheme.

Have your say

Do you think the school has made the right decision to ban energy drinks such as Red Bull?

Vote yes or no in the panel to the right of the screen.

What do you think?

Should young people be restricted from buying energy drinks such as Red Bull?

Is banning such drinks from school a step too far?

Share your views, comment in the space below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.

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