HEADTEACHERS across south Essex are mulling over ways to help combat the latest playground craze - Fidget Spinners.

The handheld gadgets were originally designed as stress-relieving tools and to improve the focus of children with Attention Deficit Disorder and combat anxiety.

But the tiny toys, the modern day version of a spinning top, have soared in popularity recently, becoming a playground must-have.

And as some schools up and down the country ban them outright, the Echo spoke to south Essex headteachers for their take on the issue.

Matthew Badcock is the headteacher at Earls Hall Primary School in Carlton Avenue.

He said: “We haven’t banned them. You have to remember that things like this are just as a craze, and at Earls Hall we embrace these crazes because often they provide interesting learning experiences.

“Take Pokemon cards, for instance. A lot of schools banned those but we didn’t. Of course, they weren’t allowed in the classroom, but they taught children the concept of trading and the concept of value.

“These Fidget Spinners will fade out, but they are proving extremely popular as a collectible.

“If there were any incidents or disruptive behaviour we would talk to the parents immediately.”

Other schools are taking a harder line against the toys, with one even banning them outright.

Desi McKeown is the headteacher for Deanes School in Thundersley.

His approach is to decide on a “case-by-case” basis which children can use the toys.

He said: “We have banned them but we allow some children to use them.

“We have had children report to us that the toys do help them concentrate.

“Because we’re a small school we do have the added benefit of knowing our children individually, so we can make the judgment call depending on the child.”

It comes as Laindon Park Primary last week announced a blanket ban on fidget spinners. In its latest newsletter, the school’s headteacher Cristina Portoles, said: “We ask that no fidget spinners are brought into school.

“Playing with these spinners are disrupting lessons.”

Other schools following the ban include William Read and Winter Gardens on Canvey.

One Basildon dad, who wished to remain anonymous, has bought a spinner for his eight-year-old son who has autism-spectrum-disorder.

He said: “My child really benefits from the one I bought him. It has quite a soothing effect. Luckily, he goes to a school that hasn’t banned them, but even if they do I imagine the school would make exceptions for children with learning difficulties.”