CHILDREN at Richmond CE Primary School have always had the opportunity to use modern equipment, but now they have far more access to computers and are rapidly improving their information and communications technology (ICT) skills.

When the Telematics Centre, at Catterick Garrison, was opened, the computer club visited it and took part in the BBC Web Wise scheme.

The school has access to the world-wide web and the children are able to e-mail their friends and even send homework to their teachers.

If they take a family holiday they can keep up to speed with school work by e-mail.

As Stephanie Ma explained: "I went on holiday to San Francisco, in America, and I was staying at my auntie's house.

"Before my holiday I got an e-mail address, and when I was in America I sent an e-mail to Mrs Susan Broadhurst from my auntie's house to keep in touch."

The school has recently spent about £1,000 developing the control aspects of its computers.

Sarah Harrison, with other members of class three, has been experimenting with various ways of using interfaces to show, for example, the many ways that flashing lights can be programmed.

Recently, Karl Henderson, a design engineer and local inventor, showed year three and four children his invention for heavy goods transport that is being tried out in Europe.

The children were able to design and make their own models and use the computer to control the lights on them.

Year five pupils had great fun using a digital camera to record their activities, and have developed a scheme for writing and illustrating their own weekly newspaper.

The rapid development of ICT can be seen throughout the school, and all the children have the chance of acquiring a wide range of computing skills to equip them for the future.