IT’s back to school for silver surfers

The lessons are held in the picturesque school which lies in the shadow of Ben Nevis.

Two pupils who have turned teacher say they are thrilled to take classes, and they even made their own PowerPoint presentations to teach.

“I was a bit surprised how much older people didn’t know because sometimes it seems they know everything,” said Aidan Fordham, 11, from nearby Lochaber. “The hardest thing to teach them was to use a mouse.

“I never thought being a teacher could be so good.

“When I grow up I want to be a football coach or join the army and teach.”

Classmate Faith Easson, 11, said pupils loved teaching the pensioners how to email and surf the net.

“It felt a bit different standing in front of a class for a change,” she added. “But after 10 minutes it was like we did it all the time. It’s made me decide that I want to be a teacher when I grow up.”

Head teacher Steven Hamilton, 44, said there were two children to every adult in lessons that last 90 minutes.

He said: “The class is supervised by teachers and the lessons end with a chat where the grans and grandpas turn teacher and help the pupils with history research.

“Everyone benefits. Retired folk

Anne Ferguson gets to grips with her PC, ably assisted by Aidan Fordham and Faith Easson. learn IT, pupils soar in confidence and then meet people who have lived t h ro u g h their history lessons.”

The i dea came from Care Lochaber, an organisation which supports elderly people.

Manager Lara Van Der Peer said: “We are delighted with the success and are over the moon over how well the kids have embraced this.

“We have had plenty of inquiries and have a waiting list.”

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