COLLEGE pupils are to be part of a classroom revolution as the humble blackboard is sidelined in favour of the latest technology.

A £28,000 investment has seen the introduction of 30 laptop computers, with almost every member of staff now able to access the equipment.

Neil Hodges, head of information and commications technology (ICT) at Norton College, said there had been a fantastic reaction to the laptops.

He said: "There is a Government scheme which will give us five laptops, but we had already made the decision to allow, as near as, every member of teaching staff to have one this year.

"Everyone is very happy. They will be able to do Powerpoint presentations in the classrooms without having to spend time searching for a special room. It's going to open up a whole new range of things that can be done in the classroom."

Mr Hodges said that an online registration system was due to be installed for the start of the new term in September.

He said: "At the moment it's a record on paper, but this will take that lot away. It should make things more slick and efficient."

Norton College, which has just under 670 pupils aged 11 to 16, was granted technology status at the beginning of the autumn term in 1996.