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

Pupils from Bridgemary Community School in Gosport are set to have all their lessons with others of the same standard from September.

The move is the brainchild of head teacher Cheryl Heron, who believes it will improve standards.

She said: "We're totally transforming the way children are learning. They will be moving from year groups as is the norm and going into five levels according to their ability.

"The whole school is being re-timetabled in that way. 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.

"If children are able, why stop them? I like to look at things in different ways. We start with a blank sheet and come up with new ideas.''

Winchester head teachers say they are watching the unique experiment with interest. Peter Jenner, head teacher at The Westgate School said today: "We will look at this experiment and are happy to consider innovation. We will be interested to see how it goes.''

A county council spokesman said today: "As the local education authority, we are supportive of schools who wish to explore ways of maximising the achievements of their pupils and their enjoyment of school, particularly when taking into account local circumstances.

"We are interested in Bridgemary Community School's planned new approach to teaching and learning and are always keen to hear of measures which put learners at the heart of the curriculum, building teaching around learning. We look forward to hearing about the progress of this initiative."

It is not the first time Bridgemary school, which caters for pupils aged 11 to 16 years, has hit the headlines for its novel approach to teaching.

Pupils with low literacy levels are now having English lessons on a football theme in a bid to boost their enthusiasm for the subject.

Mrs Heron was also praised by government inspectors for turning around the performance of the troubled school in her first year between 2001 and 2002.