LUGGING home heavy homework books could be a thing of the past for these pupils who are being encouraged to use the Internet to revise.

The Toynbee School youngsters are benefiting from a massive £85,000 investment of computer equipment that has revolutionised studies at the Chandler's Ford campus.

But a spin-off means that pupils with Internet access at home will be able to carry on their studies by tapping into recommended revision sites.

Len Baker, the school's information, communications and technology co-ordinator said: "We hope parents will work closely with their children and get involved in their home studies.

"Children prefer to use computers and we find they do more revision than they might otherwise do. It is interactive learning which is fun and parents like to get involved as well."

Ninety computers have been bought for the school helped by a £20,000 grant from the government's National Grid for Learning fund.

The rest of the £85,000 investment for the three computer suites came from school funds.

Each pupil will eventually have an e-mail address and will be able to link-up with pen friends across the globe.

The scheme will also enable the youngsters to exchange information with an American school in Philadelphia which has close links with Toynbee School.

Eastleigh mayor Jane Welsh, who officially launched the school's technology suites, said: "The school is lucky to have this investment."

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