Hundreds of Sandwell pupils and teachers are set to receive brand new tablet PCs

as part of a multi-million pound research project. St Michael’s Church of England High School, Westminster School and Whiteheath Education Centre have been chosen to join ‘Tablets for Schools’.

This is a project looking at the impact of tablet PCs on pupils' achievement at selected schools across the country and is supported by academics, charities, industry and government.

The Sandwell schools, based on the Rowley Learning Campus, will receive a total of 1,690 Nexus 7 tablets, donated by Google. They will also get protective cases from Carphone Warehouse while any families without internet access will receive it for free for 12 months from TalkTalk, subject to terms and conditions.

The overall value of the scheme to Sandwell is £300,000. The Rowley Campus is one of the sites built as part of Sandwell's Building Schools for the Future scheme. Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Simon Hackett said: “Congratulations to these schools on being selected for this prestigious, national scheme. “It shows Sandwell can set the pace when it comes to introducing new technology in schools.”

The research is being carried out by health and education research organisation – ‘Family, Kids and Youth’. Ten other schools are taking part in the research, located in Hounslow, Kent, Richmond, Ealing, Essex and Bradford.

For further information please contact: Sandwell Council Communications Unit 0121 569 3031 Out of hours/emergency: 07920 027 723 www.twitter.com/sandwellcouncil www.facebook.com/sandwellcouncil