People seeking teaching jobs will be surprised to learn that drinking water can have a seriously positive impact on the academic performance of pupils, a new report has suggested.

The study, conducted at the universities of East London and Westminster, determined that those students who take a bottle of water into an examination hall are likely to achieve improved grades.

In fact, the research team discovered that this group on average achieved a higher grade by five per cent than those who did not carry drinking water with them.

Additionally, the researchers observed that older students are more likely to carry water with them.

Dr Chris Pawson, from the University of East London, explained that drinking water may have a physiological effect on thinking functions.

"Future research is needed to tease apart these explanations, but whatever the explanation it is clear that students should endeavour to stay hydrated with water during exams," Dr Pawson added.

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