Parents at several schools in the UK are being offered the chance to have their children equipped with the latest iPad2 gadget - in return for an annual fee of £170.

The scheme is designed to enhance children’s enjoyment of learning through technology with the lightweight and portable nature of the iPad deemed ideal for learning both at home and in the classroom.

Thus far several schools have signed up for the scheme including longfield Academy, Kent; Wallace High School in Northern Ireland and Cedars School of Excellence in Scotland.

Tablets are felt to be less intimidating for children than their PC variants opening up additional avenues of learning.