5% grade boost for hydrated students’ exam scores

Hydrated students perform an average of 5% better in exams, according to research from the universities of East London and Westminster.

This is just one of the reasons why it’s so important to provide every possible opportunity for your pupils to access water around school.

Find out what effect water can have on pupils, and how you can acquire the tools you need to keep them properly hydrated.

Why hydrated students achieve better exam scores

Let’s get into the science behind the sip.

Pupils can improve their exam scores by up to 10% by staying properly hydrated, with average performance improving by 5% (once academic ability had been taken into account).

In this study, researchers concluded that water was likely to have had a psychological effect on pupils’ cognitive functions, as well as alleviating exam anxiety.

Human bodies are almost 60% water, and our brains are 70% comprised of this life-giving fluid. Children have an even higher proportion of body water, making them less tolerant to heat and more liable to dehydration.

School-age kids should aim to consume around 6 – 8 300ml glasses of water per day, on top of the fluids they get as part of their diet.

Soft drinks have a high sugar content and won’t rehydrate pupils nearly as effectively. Even supposedly healthy drinks (like fruit juice and sports drinks) don’t have nearly the same hydration potential as water.

How can I make sure my students stay properly hydrated?

So, what steps can you take to make it as easy as possible for your students to get the right amount of water throughout the day? Here’s a few handy tools to get you started:

Water coolers

Water coolers can be placed at strategic spots around the school, are free for students to use and can be attached to the mains water supply to reduce maintenance.

Water coolers for schools should be robust and reliable enough to stand up to the rigours of daily use. They should also be designed for the exact purpose you intend to use them for. All that remains is to make a couple of simple decisions; fountain or cups, mains supply or water bottles?

Vending machines

Vending machines are another option for keeping students hydrated in school.

Students will be required to pay and the machine will need to be re-stocked every now and again, but the machine will keep drinks cool and can be deployed around the school to reduce canteen queues at break times.

Fridges

Multi-deck display refrigerators function in much the same way as vending machines, but require a little extra oversight to make sure drinks aren’t being slipped out without payment. It’s therefore recommended that display fridges be kept in the canteen.

By incorporating hydration technology into your school on a flexible rental agreement that spreads costs over time, you can help your students improve engagement and attainment without a major one-off capital outlay.

Call on Utility Rentals to give your school the resources it needs to keep your students properly hydrated.