PUPILS at Tranent’s Ross High School are cutting down on sugar this month after the school introduced Fizz Free February.

For the first time, the school has banned all drinks which are high in sugar and caffeine for a month in a bid to promote a healthy lifestyle.

The ban includes milkshakes, slushies, fizzy drinks and energy drinks.

Instead students are being encouraged to drink water, milk or water flavoured with fresh fruit.

The school says studies have shown fizzy drinks affect the youthful appearance of skin, rot teeth and cause weight gain, brittle bones and make it harder for young people to concentrate in class.

They have also that shown drinking water and staying hydrated improves capacity to learn.

Lauren McMillan, food and textiles technology teacher, said: “As a school we know it is within the remit of all our staff to educate our pupils on health and wellbeing in the same way we all have the responsibility to encompass literacy and numeracy.

“As a result, we encourage pupils to lead a healthy life style and be well-educated in the dangers of choosing a poor diet, such as highly sugared drinks.

“The British Government have clearly seen the writing on the wall by introducing the sugar tax and now it’s our job to enforce and educate people at a grassroots level. We want to make our young people fitter, healthier and make their time spent in class more effective.”

Meanwhile, Paul Reynolds, headteacher, explained how the idea came about. He said: “The school’s health and wellbeing group, which consists of pupils, staff, parents and other external partners, came up with the idea of Fizz Free February.

“The project was launched with pupils at year group assemblies, and so far it has been a big success. The staff have been getting involved too, with some teachers admitting to drinking far too many fizzy drinks.”