Education suppliers said there was an average of 34 computers in each primary, secondary and special needs school in 2001 - up from 27 in 2000.

The growth is expected to continue well into 2002, with 70% of the 2,000 schools surveyed across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland planning to buy more computers - 280,000 in total.

The study also discovered a dramatic rise in the number of laptops in schools - the number owning at least one laptop rose from 62% in 2000 to 87% in 2001.

Teachers grow in confidence

The study - by the British Educational Suppliers Association (Besa) - also noted an improvement in the number of teachers considered competent and proficient in the use of information and communication technology (ICT).

Last year, less than half - 47% - felt confident using new technology in the curriculum, but the figure now stands at 60%.

Staff training in ICT is continuing, with 84% receiving training in 2001 - up from 78% in 2000. But few schools required no training at all.

Computer 'labs'

The research uncovered a significant swing, especially in the primary sector, to locate computers out of the classroom and into computer "labs".

In total, 56% had made a conscious decision to move computers into a separate designated area.

Only special schools were noted to keep the majority of their machines in the immediate teaching environment.