AN Alcester schoolgirl was one of the first in the county to make use of a revolutionary new learning system designed to benefit sick students.

The girl, who cannot be named, suffers from depression and anxiety which have forced her into prolonged absences from school.

When she was a pupil at Alcester High School Technology College she was absent for a year and her motivation decreased as time went on.

But health and educational workers suggested she tried the e-learning system being pioneered by Warwickshire County Council.

She was provided with a laptop computer and logged onto classes with another six or seven students from across the county, studying maths, English, science and some design technology.

She had a timetable and each lesson lasted for about an hour. By pressing a key she could answer questions in "class", which gave her a sense of belonging.

Her mother said: "It did her a lot of good and made sure she didn't get behind in her work.

"It motivated her again and gave her a reason to get up in the morning.

"She knew she had certain lessons to do every day and a teacher from the school visited her every week and left ordinary work for her to do as well."

Her mother added: "It's a good system and I'd recommend anyone who has the chance to take it."

The girl, who is 14, moved to another school but as that has not worked out, she is at home again and her mother is hoping that the e-learning system can be reinstated.

The county council's Pupil Reintegration Unit developed Education for Children Out of School (ECOS) with private company Nisai Education and 19 other LEAs have since joined the partnership.

ECOS head David Teece said: "This is cutting-edge work developed in Warwickshire which has transformed the opportunities available to children being educated out of school - whatever the reason."