More than 200 hundred children at Anton Junior School have been learning about the dangers of drugs, combatting obesity and how to make healthy lifestyle choices.

The charity, Life Education Wessex & Thames Valley, delivered the sessions with the aid of videos, an interactive body and a pop-up tent space.

During the day, pupils aged 7-11 years old learned about a range of issues, including healthy eating and the problems of obesity, respecting themselves and others online, dealing with feelings of sadness, loneliness and anger and the dangers about alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Teachers at the school said that the children were really engaged by the workshop visuals and that the pop-up tent created a cosy and relaxed learning environment.  

They also noted that there were lots of opportunities for ideas to be shared during discussions.

A community grant of £430 granted by Test Valley Borough Council paid for the programme.

Councillor Lisa Matthews, one of the ward councillors for Winton Ward, said: “By providing age-appropriate health, well-being and drug prevention education, children gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to make positive, healthy choices.

“As well as helping the children who took part, the benefits also cascade out to the wider community, as children who make the right healthy choices grow up as citizens who are more likely to make positive contributions to society.”

Life Education Wessex & Thames Valley has been working with young children since the 1990s and is the only charity providing an eight-year health, wellbeing and drug education programme.