Pupils will get the chance  to become computer whizz kids after hundreds of iPads  were handed over.

City College Brighton and Hove has teamed up with the  Fonthill Foundation to set up two classrooms in the former  Emperor of China restaurant in  Brighton Marina devoted to
teaching children through the  use of tablets.

The foundation has donated  the iPads to the academy after  its chairman Andrew Goodall  was made aware of the new  academy school by Michael  Beard, editor of The Argus.

The new 5,000 sq ft facilities  at the marina will initially be  used by 60 pupils from City  Academy Whitehawk, who will  be the first through the doors on  Monday using transport provided by Roedean School.

It is hoped that the facilities could eventually be used by  pupils from schools all over  Brighton and Hove.

There are set to be five learning days over the next term with children aged between six and 11 being taught how to get  the most out of the gadgets.

Teachers will also get the  chance to work with e-learning  specialist trainers to help develop future hi-tech lesson plans while it is hoped that the chance to  learn about tablets will be  extended to parent workshops.

The space has been provided  by Brighton Marina owners  Land Securities with Marina  Services Ltd cleaning the site  and City College Brighton and  Hove pupils furnishing it.

Experts from the Tablet  Academy provide tuition.

The classrooms have superfast broadband and will handle up to 200 iPad users.

Planning permission is initially for temporary classrooms for a year but Fonthill Foundation chairman Andrew Goodall  is hoping to extend that for at  least another 12 months.

Mr Goodall said he used his  business contacts at the Marina  as the managing director of
Brunswick Developments to encourage firms to join the project.

He said: “It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and a  lot of people have donated their
time. It’s very exciting that it  has all come together right now.

“I think these lessons will be  motivating and engaging and will also be an important learning experience as well.

“There is a lot of fear around  the use of iPads and I can understand that but they are a  chance for children to learn in a  new and exciting way.

“I thought the marina would  be a really inspiring learning  environment.”