A second ultra hi-tech centre of learning has been unveiled as part of a £3.4 million programme to put the district's schools at the cutting edge of education.

Greenhead High School in Keighley will now become a City Learning Centre and is in line for a raft of new information communication technology costing ten of thousands of pounds.

It joins Carlton Bolling College in Bradford, which the Telegraph & Argus last week revealed was the first 'virtual school' in the region.

Miles Mizon, headteacher of Greenhead High in Greenhead Road, in Utley, said it was good news for the school and the community.

"The governors, staff, students and parents are delighted with this accolade for the school which is a recognition of the far sighted and innovative use of ICT that has been developed at Greenhead over the year.

"It provides many exciting opportunities for learning and raising achievement and it will also bring direct benefit to families and employers.

"We relish the challenge of maintaining a leading edge in the provision of an ICT enriched education service."

The CLC scheme is part of the government's Excellence in City's programme to boost educational achievement in inner city areas.

Some £3.4 in total is pledged, although just £2.4 million will be spent directly on resources for schools. Under the programme, Greenhead and Carlton Bolling will become 'hubs' and enjoy the lions share of spending, with other schools, who will also receive new ICT equipment, linked up as 'satellites'. The satellites will be able to hook into the hub and the potential exists for a teacher to be in front of an on-line class spread out over a number of different schools.

Pupils from primary schools who are ahead of their classmates could also tap into the expertise of the senior school for masterclasses without leaving the comfort of their school.

Councillor Susanne Rooney, the chairman of the education committee, said it was excellent news for the schools and others ion the district.

"Both Greenhead and Carlton Bolling already have good reputations for the ICT work they do with pupils and I am pleased that the hard work of the local education authority officers has helped persuade the government to give us this extra provision.

"There are a number of world class technology firms in the district and the CLCs will help us provide young people with the skills and training they need to tackle hi-tech jobs as we enter the new Millennium."

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