ALL first year pupils get mini laptops at Alfreton Grange Arts College

ALL pupils in the first year at a Derbyshire secondary school have been given mini-laptop computers to help their studies.

The £35,000 scheme is believed to be one of the first in any Derbyshire school and one of only a few across the country.

Teachers at Alfreton Grange Arts College – formerly Mortimer Wilson School – felt it was essential that their pupils should be able to access modern technology.

So they decided to use the school's own funds to provide mini-laptops for the 190 first year pupils.

Head teacher Wendy Sharp said: "We didn't want to create an environment where some people were unable to afford to buy the laptops.

"So the only route open to ensure 100% inclusion was to provide all students in the year group with one of the computers free of charge."

The students will be able to access the internet and the college's own intranet, as well as doing homework and project work on them.

Mrs Sharp said: "We'll be repeating the exercise next year with the new intake of year seven students and so on.

"Gradually we'll be in the terrific position of everyone in the school having access to the web and their schoolwork at any time and in any place."

Pupils will keep the laptops throughout their time at school and when they leave, as long as that's not before the end of their final year.

The children are delighted with their new equipment.

George Else, 11, said: "We use the laptops in English to find information on the internet and we use them to write up our notes in science. They're really good, just the right size. My grandma's got a normal laptop and it seems huge next to mine."

Rhiannon Barker, 12, said: "They're good and are really helping me with my work. They're very easy to use. I was really excited when I first got my laptop."

Mac Wibberley, 11, has been using his computer for English lessons. He said: "Using the laptop really helped with spelling."

The school is currently building its intranet system, or internal website, which will allow teachers to post lessons and resources online to be accessed by pupils.

Parents will be able to view school reports there.

The school's business manager, Phil Tooley, said: "There's still a lot of work to do but the intranet will be vital to enable students to easily access what's essential in class, at home and at lunchtime, ensuring they get the best education possible.

"We're excited to be at the forefront of the technological revolution in education."