Schoolchildren as young as eight are to be given breaks from learning so they can massage one another.
Youngsters at Thomas A Becket Middle School in Glebeside Avenue, Worthing, are being offered up to 45 minutes of relaxing massage time a week.
It is hoped this would calm them down and make them more confident, a teacher at the school said.
In a letter to parents a school teacher said parents could come and watch a DVD explaining the virtues of offering massages to children.
The letter said: “Children wear their normal school clothes and give massage to each other on the back, head and arms. They take part in ten to fifteen minutes massage two to three times a week.
“Studies have shown that, when children give massage to each other, they become calmer, concentrate better and have more confidence.
“They learn to respect themselves and other children. Each child gives permission for massage to take place. If children do not want to give or receive massage they sit and watch.”
The sessions would take part as part of the Massage in Schools Programme, an international scheme.
Worthing Borough Council member Ann Barlow, for the Gaisford ward, said: “I’ve never heard of it and don’t know about the project. But anything that helps children to relax is good.
“I don’t have any issue with it. It’s better than them sitting watching TV.”
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