A school in the northern English city of Newcastle has seen a huge leap in the use of computers at home since it became involved in a government scheme.

The Parents Online project was designed by the Department of Education to strengthen links between home and school and make parents aware of the educational importance of computers and the internet.

It is targeted at deprived areas like Throckley in Newcastle.

Since becoming involved in the Parents Online scheme, Throckley First School has seen home PC access for pupils leap from 6% to 57%.

Teaching parents

A recent workshop called Children Teaching Parents saw pupils showing their parents how to use the internet and send e-mail.

Some parents have found jobs using computer skills

"The children really enjoy showing their parents what they know on the computer," said the school's ICT co-ordinator Victoria Frost

The school has also set up a series of workshops for adults only, with many going on to find employment in computer-related jobs in the Newcastle area.

Ms Frost is delighted by the results.

"There has been a massive jump in the number of PCs in the home as a direct result of our involvement with the Parents Online website and our ICT push in school," she said.

Indispendable net

A recent survey from BTopenworld bears out the idea that the web is coming of age as an educational resource for both parents and children.

It found that 48% of parents think the internet is now as useful as books for their child's educational development.

Parents are also turning to the web to improve their own parenting skills, with 38% seeking tips online.

In higher education the internet has become vital to students, with 94% saying that they could not do their degree without it.

"Our research reveals that the internet is fast overtaking more traditional methods of learning," said Vice President of BTopenworld Duncan Ingram.

"I'm convinced that the web will become an indispensable learning tool in most households."