Durham Secondary School Study
Introduction
This study carried out in the Spring term of 2004 looked
specifically at how fatty acids may work in the secondary school
environment, as an adjunct to our work in pre-school and primary
schools. A group of teenage students at Greenfield School Community
and Arts College, at Newton Aycliffe, took an active treatment of
fatty acids to see if improvements in concentration, behaviour and
performance in the classroom could also be found in an older
age-group.
Prior to starting the study Dr Madeleine
Portwood, Senior Educational Psychologist, spoke with the pupils who
were all very keen to be involved. Many of the pupils tried hard to
concentrate during their lessons but found it difficult to remain on
task for periods in excess of five minutes. Many had histories of
poor school attendance and low attainment which was not indicative
of their true working potential.
Dr Madeleine Portwood's
comments
Although their cognitive abilities were within the average to
above average range, their development of reading and handwriting
skills was suffering because of inattention and an inability to stay
on task.
There have been increasing concerns amongst educationalists
regarding the difficulties that secondary pupils face particularly
towards the end of Key Stage 3 entering Key Stage 4. The study at
Greenfield Community College was as a result of Mr John Clare's
(Deputy Head Teacher) efforts to raise achievement and improve the
outcomes for many of his pupils.
An increasing
problem...
Difficulties with attention and subsequent behavioural problems
are a major factor affecting learning in most secondary schools. As
a result of the improvements evident in the initial Durham Trial, Mr
Clare believed that many pupils in Greenfield could be helped
through supplementing their diets. The youngsters involved in this
study all had symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), and took part in standardised assessments to measure change
during the course of the study.