LESSONS have gone hi-tech at a Fareham school thanks to it being awarded specialist status in maths and computing.

Pupils at Neville Lovett school are already feeling the benefits of the award that means half a million pounds will be ploughed into the school over the next four years.

Installed in every maths classroom is an interactive screen that allows teachers to call up questions, graphs, web pages and handwritten notes at the touch of a button.

The plasma screens also allow teaching to be done using models and animation. Headteacher Neil Dewhurst said: "This is a state-of-the-art resource. We are not saying that we are the only school to have this but that the specialist school status has enabled us to accelerate our programme of technology.

"One of the many advantages of these screens is that no time is wasted referring to worksheets or writing things on the board. It can just be called up in an instant. The interactive nature of the boards also helps the children to learn, particularly if things are more fun and models can be used."

The school was the first in Hampshire to be awarded specialist status in maths and computing. The extra funding has also paid for each member of staff to be issued with a laptop which can be hooked up to the interactive screens.

Mr Dewhurst said: "The status has basically meant that we have double the amount of money to spend per pupil on resources for them. In return the government expects us to achieve high targets in these areas and we are confident we will do that."

The school is also benefiting from the introduction of a classroom amplification system for hearing- impaired children.

Teachers can now use microphones in class that can be tuned in to loudspeakers and to hearing aids.

Teacher for the deaf Gill Gailor said: "It is not only good for our students but for the rest of the pupils in the class as it amplifies the sound around the classroom so the teachers do not have to strain their voice to be heard at the back."