But before anyone thinks the lads of St John Fisher RC High are being taught to knock seven bells out of each other in the name of academic advancement, their training is strictly non-contact.

Pupils had tried boxercise as part of their PE GCSE in previous years, but now the Beech Hill School has enlisted the help of local boxing legend John Lyon to put them through the rigorous routines he puts young fighters through at his Ashton gym.

The pedigree of the teacher is impeccable. The 46-year-old twice competed for Great Britain at the Olympics (Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988) and for England won the flyweight crown at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. He was later given an MBE for services to sport.

He runs a five-stage course, the last two stages of which are actual fighting. But the GCSE candidates during their 10 weeks only take part in the first three, which are all about fitness, speed and technique. If they want to go beyond that, they go on to John's gym in their own time.

At the moment only boys are taking part, but it is expected girls will also be able to get involved.
The practical course uses group work and videos to back up the themes of boxing warm-ups, circuit training, the basics of stance and movement, pad and partner work, pounding and combination punching and the basics of defence.

Jon Hill, head of PE at St John Fisher, said: "We feel this is a perfect vehicle to provide physical fitness in a controlled and disciplined manner.
"We really hope a boxing award scheme will become a permanent feature within our PE curriculum. More importantly we hope our pupils will take the opportunity to take part after school at the Wigan Amateur Boxing Club."

To find out more about Wigan Amateur Boxing Association, or even get your school involved in the scheme, please contact Jon Lyon on 01942 207347 or visit www.wiganboxingfsnet.co.uk