The Department for Education has announced the creation of new masterclasses for gifted children. Bradford's Dixons City Technology College is one of only ten centres chosen to take part in the one-year pilot project, which starts in September. Telegraph & Argus reporter Joanne Earp takes a closer look at the scheme.

The thought of travelling the information superhighway is still a daunting prospect for most adults, but today's youngsters are taking the world of websites and wall-to-wall technology in their stride.

Computers are now firmly established as a key part of modern schooling, enabling pupils to get to grips with these hi-tech tools of learning at an early age.

Now the Government has announced that it is to give some of the most gifted students from four Bradford middle schools a chance to shine by attending special out-of-hours masterclasses.

The courses at Dixons CTC will be attended by 16 pupils and four members of staff from Laisterdyke Middle School, Wibsey Middle, Mandale Middle and Ryan Middle.

Laisterdyke headteacher Joan Law says the scheme is a great way to help teaching staff and talented pupils extend their own knowledge and that of their classmates.

She said: "The prospect of our pupils benefiting from the up-to-date facilities at Dixons CTC is very exciting. It means they can further their own education and bring information back to the school.

"As a headteacher, the first computer I remember came in 1981 - it was a huge black box. Now we've got websites and the Internet so we've seen an explosion of new technology in schools over the last 17 years that has been amazing."

The hi-tech course, for ten and 11-year-olds, has been specially developed by the college and includes sessions on video conferencing and setting up websites. Pupils will be chosen according to capability and aptitude.

Mrs Law pointed out: "It's important to remember that these sessions will take place at the end of the school day and even weekends - so it's going to be a heck of a commitment in terms of extra hours for the member of staff and pupils who take part."

Dixons CTC, in West Bowling, was the first school in Bradford to open a virtual classroom, using digital whiteboards and even video conferencing. Funding for the pilot project will be through a £20,000 Government grant.

Gordon Hart, headteacher at Wibsey Middle School, said: "We're hoping that the experiences of pupils at these masterclasses will provide us with the push we need to develop our own facilities further. There's a snowball effect as people become more competent and aware of the possibilities. And it will bring the schools and colleges closer together."

The CTC is in the process of creating its £500,000 Minerva Centre - named after the Roman goddess of learning - which is seen as a hi-tech lifelong educational facility for the whole community.

If the pilot masterclasses prove successful, they will be extended for a further year.

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