MEDWAY'S education director has sent a letter to head teachers giving them guidelines on how to deal with pupils' emotions during the war against Iraq.

Rose Collinson wrote to schools shortly before military action began. In the letter she says many young people may have relatives or friends in the armed forces and may show their stress through their behaviour.

The letter says pupils may become more attention-seeking and immature. They may be more prone to arguments or tears and may find change difficult to cope with.

Mrs Collinson also points out there may be some youngsters who don't have a direct connection with the war but still react to it and feel their sense of security has been threatened.

She suggests teachers give pupils time and space to express themselves and teachers should answers any questions honestly - even when the answer will be "we don't know".

She finishes the letter by saying that the every school should refer to its copy of an Educational Psychology Service's booklet which contains examples of how to react to behaviour and stress.

Mrs Collinson said: "These are serious times and people of all ages think very deeply about the war. We want to make sure we offer enough support to them in their schools and we want the schools to have the strategy to deal with the issue."