Initially, the programme will involve an introduction toWindows to get teachers started, followed by a module designed to develop “relevant generic and personal skills through curriculum-related tasks” - in other words, word processing, use of databases and spreadsheets, graphics and presentation.

Primary school teachers will be trained in the introductory skills, together with teaching and planning with information technology, work on literacy and maths, as well as finding Internet-based resources.

Secondary teachers’ training will be more subject specific. They will start with an introductory skills module, followed by two or three sections on ICT to enhance teaching and planning, as well as monitoring progress. Mike Holroyde, the city’s senior education development adviser, envisages that this will take place in a mixture of day and twilight sessions.

He says: “If you put the IT in and back it up with training, and with hardware and software support, you can move the project forward. If this does not work, what other model can we offer?” Lack of motivation is not expected to be a serious obstacle. “We’ve had over 200 non-teaching staff applying to go on ICT training and many have suggested that they would do it in twilight time.

“There’s an incredible willingness and eagerness to take up ICT training, from staff ranging from caretakers and supervisors to support and clerical staff. That’s very encouraging.”