Kidderminster school's success attributed to iPods

The GCSEpods contain chapters of information

The use of iPods at a school in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, has been partly attributed to an increase in its GCSE results.

The number of pupils at King Charles I school, getting A* to C grades in their exams last summer rose by 15% to 77%.

The school had trialled a scheme where pupils could get iPods out of their library and listen to downloadable revision guides.

Deputy head teacher Geraint Roberts said it encouraged pupils to learn.

He said: "The key is to target children who would not revise normally.

"There is still a place for text books but what we are tying to do is pick up those learners who might not pick up their text books and see if we can engage them."

Students today learn in different ways to previous generations, he added.

The GCSEpods, as they are known, have been designed in collaboration with teachers and students, to meet the needs of students in terms of the curriculum

The downloads are three to five minute chapters, which include images of key words and phrases.

"Some schools are still nervous about allowing consumer technology into the classroom, but we recognise this is what our children relate to and enjoy using, so we wanted to capitalise on this," Mr Roberts said.