Pupils as young as nine at a Nottinghamshire school are to learn how to box as part of a programme to increase confidence and leadership skills.

Boxing lessons will be given to Year 5 children at the independent Salterford House School in Calverton.

The sessions are being laid on by a local Nottingham company, BMC Global Services, which usually uses them as a means to teach business people.

Professor Rakesh Sondhi will first take some of the school’s teachers through the basics before giving pupils use of a boxing ring and gym. “Youngsters in Years 5 and 6 often need a little bit of confidence when they make the move up into big school,” he said.

“The sessions they will be involved in will give the mental confidence to take on challenges in bigger environments and their leadership qualities will shine through.”

Marlene Venables is the principal at the school, which caters for around 150 youngsters between the ages of two-and-half and 11.

“We do a lot of physical education here in school but this is the first time that boxing has been on the timetable,” she said. “Obviously though, it’s more than boxing as it is about self-awareness, awareness of others and how to react in certain situations.” DM.