A PRIMARY school has introduced judo classes to help children who lack confidence.

Thurlbear Primary School hopes the martial art sessions will bring youngsters out of their shells, and teach livelier children a skill and discipline.

Black belt Nigel McBrayne, who has been teaching judo for 20 years, is running the classes and said they are proving popular with children of all personalities.

He said: “I get a lot of job satisfaction from it because it’s good to see children who are shy at the beginning, and by the end they’re interacting, throwing each other around and having fun.

“It’s also good to see children who are lively at the start, but then show good discipline towards the end.”

Nigel said the sessions are not just about fighting, but more about life skills, including respect, discipline, self-control and confidence.

He said there had been marked improvements in children with confidence issues during his classes at The Castle School in Taunton.

Cameron Mann, PE co-ordinator at Thurlbear Primary School, said they decided to give the sport a go after receiving funding from the Government’s Olympic Legacy project.

He said: “We’re giving something completely different a go that not many other schools offer.

“This was a taster session, but we’re going to run an after-school club and an intervention session on Wednesday afternoons for children in years three to six.

“Hopefully this will help the children’s personal development as well as teaching some control.

“We’re hoping it will boost self-esteem with some of the more vulnerable children to get them out of their shell.”

You can contact Nigel about coming into your school on 07720-640698.