PUPILS at a Darlington school have been learning about what they can expect if they go to university.

Year eight and nine students from Hurworth School Maths and Computing College were visited by tutors from Teesside University.

They showed young people how advanced Internet searches can help with their projects in art and geography.

IT teacher Nick Gawthorpe said: "The kids got more knowledge for their projects they are doing right now and they can get the information immediately.

"The feedback has been great and even the teachers have come out of the lessons and said they have learned something.

"By showing them how to use the Internet more effectively they have increased the research technology we have in school at the moment."

The visit is part of a Government-led scheme known as Aim Higher to encourage youngsters to stay on in education.

Mr Gawthorpe said: "It is about building up relationships with institutions to make pupils more comfortable with the concept of further education.

"It is so they start thinking about university early and it is not something they feel is years away."