ASK A class of schoolchildren if they enjoy eating healthy food, and their response is likely to be something along the lines of 'uuurrr, yuk, gross'.

But not at Randwick Primary School, where a healthy lifestyle drive has been introduced focusing on nutrition, aerobics and an unusual idea called the brain gym.

The scheme has been so successful in getting youngsters to swap crisps and chocolate for fruit and healthy snacks that the school is now officially the healthiest in the West of England.

Head Fiona Montacute picked up the award for healthy schools in the regional round of the 2005 Teaching Awards, and is hoping for success at the national finals in the autumn.

Reception pupils and year one and two all start the with aerobics and a brain gym.

These simple exercises increase blood flow and oxygen circulation around the brain.

One exercise consists of placing your left hand on your nose and your right hand on your left ear.

You then swap them constantly, so your left hand is on your right ear and your right hand is on your nose - if your not confused reading these instructions, you will be when you try it out!

The children also rub their ears to increase blood flow, which also helps the brain to function - something I could have done with during my recent GCSEs.

When it comes to snacks, the children tuck into carrot sticks, yoghurt and, shock horror, Brussel sprouts.

Pupils also get fruit supplied to ensure every child has at least one piece of fruit a day as part of the Government's 'five a day' health promotion.

The school first considered a health drive five years ago after teachers became alarmed at the amount of junk food being eaten.

With the support of parents, healthy food was introduced at break and later at lunch.

No chocolate bars are allowed - although a chocolate biscuit is alright occasionally - and crisps are limited to Wednesdays only, after the children have gone swimming and need an energy boost.

The children take great pride in their healthy food.

Seven-year-old Jack Gold said: "I really like eating a salad for lunch, it's tasty and healthy."

Eight-year-old Natasha Martin said: "The only thing unhealthy in my lunch box is my apple juice, and that's not really that bad."

Teachers say the regime aids concentration.

Mrs Montacute said: "The children settle very quickly. The healthy food doesn't cause the hyper behaviour that sugary foods do."

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While visiting the school, I tried out the brain gym to see what effect it had. I was shown by year two pupil Beth Homer, six.

Despite feeling slightly silly as I rubbed my ears and then lifted my right leg and touched it with my left hand and vice versa, afterwards I found I was much more relaxed and focused, especially compared to how I normally feel when I start school in the morning.

I found the exercises focused my brain - a skill many older students like me could do with at exam times.

I believe if everyone had time to do a brain gym in the morning stress levels would decrease and I know lots of people, including my dad, would benefit from that!