STUDENTS at a New Forest school are enjoying the latest IT equipment thanks to a £25,000 award.

The Arnewood School in New Milton now boasts two 3D printers, 26 new PCs and monitors installed with up-to-date software.

The generous award from the Wolfson Foundation means they also have new chairs and desks.

Headteacher Nigel Pressnell, said: “We are absolutely thrilled. IT is one of our priorities as we know what a crucial role it plays in today’s world.

“We are particularly excited about our new printers as these will allow students to design and print 3D components using plastic filament. Rapid prototyping is an important production innovation.

“This fits well with the town development plan to make New Milton a hub for high-tech industry and it’s our children who will be the town’s future employees and entrepreneurs. I’d like to thank our IT services manager Sarah Milligan who successfully put the bid in on our behalf.”

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity that awards grants to support and promote excellence in the fields of science, health, education and arts & humanities.

Its funds are generated through an endowment and, since its establishment in 1955, has awarded more than £900 million in grants to more than 11,000 projects across the UK.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said, “The Wolfson Foundation supports schools that have an outstanding track record and we do this particularly through the funding of science and technology.

“We are delighted to be involved with Arnewood, and hope that these new IT facilities will help to inspire pupils.”