Heart gadgets check pupils' anger

LONDON schoolchildren are being given heart-rate monitors to curb anti-social behaviour, it was revealed today.

The gadgets are used by athletes to track the intensity of their heart rate during exercise.

Central and North West London health trust is now testing the devices in Westminster schools to help curb playground fights and classroom disruption. Children with behavioural problems aged seven to 15 wear the monitors strapped to their chest during lessons, break and at home with their families, after nurses and psychologists have worked out each child's "danger level" heart rate. The device bleeps when this level is reached. Teachers or parents alerted by the monitor can then take action to calm or distract the child.

Anthony Scrafton, a therapist at the Marlborough Family Education Centre which has been running the trial, said: "The monitors help children recognise their own trigger points and take action to calm themselves or avoid situations which make them angry."