Parents are being asked to fork out hundreds of pounds to buy top-of-the-range computers for their daughters at a technology college.

Davison CE High School for Girls in Selborne Road, Worthing, has sent letters to parents of Year 8 pupils asking if they would be willing to contribute to the cost of an Apple iPad Tablet Computer.

The school wants every Year 9 pupil to use their iPad in lessons as part of its new elearning project, which will begin in September.

In the letter, the school's deputy headteacher Andrew McDonald-Bowyer said: "As a technology college we believe in the power of electronic learning tools such as laptops, netbooks and tablet PCs and the difference they can make to achievement in school." However, the letter added: "We get no extra funding from the Government to do this, so we are seeking to fund this by parental contributions. There may be the possibility of some charitable funding, specifically to help our families on lower incomes."

iPads are 9.7in tablet computers with virtual keyboards which enable users to surf the web, display ebooks, write emails and play videos.

They will not be launched in the UK until the end of March and Apple, which created the device, has yet to announce how much they will cost.

In America prices begin at $499 (£326).