Fawley (26 April 2007) -- Children at a special needs primary school in Totton are enjoying a new high-tech way of learning, which even responds to their touch.

Forest Edge School has taken delivery of a new interactive computer-linked whiteboard, which was bought mainly with a grant of £1,000 from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley. The grant was awarded under a special scheme, which recognises the efforts of ExxonMobil employees and their families who become school governors and contribute their time, talent and energy to schools. The scheme not only helps local schools, but also improves the links between ExxonMobil and the community.

The new whiteboard is particularly good for children who need to develop fine motor skills, as you can place your whole hand on it to respond to commands.

The grant applicant was Terry Smith, a process operator at the refinery and also a governor at the school. He said: “These interactive whiteboards are amazing and, being computer based, help the children maintain interest. The beauty of the equipment is that it allows the children to print out, so they can see their work straight away.”

Headteacher, Rosemary Wiles said: “The interactive whiteboard is fantastic. It is very large and visual and excellent for children with fine motor skills difficulties because it responds to touch and you can place your whole hand on the screen. It is good with all our children, but particularly for the less able ones.”

The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme at Fawley, together with its sister scheme for school governors, has so far contributed more than £300,000 to local community projects since it was started four years ago.