A HAMPSHIRE school is to be the first in the country to teach students in groups according to their ability rather than their age.

Today, Southampton education chiefs said they would be watching the revolutionary method with interest.

Rosemary Tong, head of learning services at Southampton City Council, said she could not rule out implementing similar methods - in which all lessons are taken with pupils of similar standards - in the city. She said: "In Southampton, schools such as Chamberlayne Park have put children into single sex classes for certain subjects to see if it aids their learning. It is worth bearing in mind that a system that works for one group of children might not work for the next year group or school.

"However, grouping classes by individuals' abilities rather than age is certainly a system we would not rule out in Southampton. We will be watching what happens with interest."

Hampshire's teaching union representative, Ron Clooney of NASUWT, said: "I am not sure it's a good idea because the differences between a 16-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl are quite considerable.

"I don't think this is something that Southampton would go for, absolutely not. There is nothing wrong with streaming but what happens if you have got a 16-year-old who happens not to be very bright with children four years' younger than him?"

The move is the brainchild of head teacher Cheryl Heron, of Bridgemary School in Gosport, who will implement the change from September. She said: "There's a lot of disaffection in this school and by doing this we're hoping it will encourage the more able and help those who are finding learning difficult."