A HI-TECH "Sir" is helping Broad Oak pupils achieve significantly improved academic results.

The Hazel Avenue high school has been piloting an e-learning literacy project, which provides interactive tuition tailored to individual students' needs.

Around 370 pupils aged between 11 and 14 took part, and 80 of them improved their reading age by one year, while 70 students advanced one year in spelling.

Mr Neil O'Connor, headteacher, said: "We are always keen to look at innovative ways to assist pupils in fulfilling their academic potential, and are excited by the great strides students have made using this software.

"Pupils these days are used to dealing with interactive electronic media and we've found this system really captures their imagination and aids their learning. In particular, it assists middle ability students to achieve much improved scores, which could make all the difference to their exam results."

The multi-media system aims to boost comprehension, memory and listening skills, and gives pupils and teachers immediate feedback on progress. It also supports different teaching and learning styles as part of a personalised programme which includes worksheets and homework assignments.

The school will now use the software with its new intake in September, and is also running a similar trial in maths.