A PEMBROKESHIRE secondary school is pioneering a unique educational programme promoted by a Hollywood star.

Ysgol Dewi Sant is the only secondary school in the UK offering pupils the Hawn Foundation’s Secondary MindUP programme.

Championed by Foundation-founder, actress Goldie Hawn, the programme aims to aid academic success by helping pupils focus during learning and keep calm during periods of exam stress.

Earlier this month the school’s assistant headteacher Pippa Raggett met up with Goldie Hawn at a Foundation conference in London.

“She was particularly interested to hear about the programme in practice,” said Pippa.

“It is taught to every Year 7 pupil, together with the .b Mindfulness in Schools programme which is followed by pupils in Years 10 and 11.

“These initiatives have undoubtedly impacted on the positive ethos of the school and have contributed to improved results.”

She added that the actress had asked that the school be used as a model for other UK secondary schools, which are interested in following the MindUP curriculum.

Meanwhile Ysgol Dewi Sant is also to become a hub school for the Mindfulness in Schools Project team, by hosting an awareness raising session for schools in Pembrokeshire, at the beginning of December.