Parents across the city are getting up to speed with 21st century computer skills in a bid to keep up with their IT whizz kids, thanks to City of York Council.

In a city-wide initiative run by York's Adult and Community Education Service, backed by City of York Council, parents can take computer courses in the same school as their children.

Originally offering only one course, the scheme now provides over 20 different courses and over 200 parents have taken advantage of the initiative in the five years since its inception.

Parents at Haxby Road Primary School were so impressed by their course that they compiled a petition asking if they could do further training.

Ray Lyall, course co-ordinator, said: "I was surprised when some of the parents on the course sent me a petition asking if they could do more training. The courses we provided gave a CLAIT qualification, but thanks to the petition, parents can now take the internationally recognised European Computer Driving Licence Qualification (ECDL) as well.

"The computing courses are an ideal way for parents to learn basic computing skills - and to keep up with their IT mad kids. It's a great way for them to meet other parents and the courses start at 9.00am so they can drop their kids off at school and go straight into their own classroom!"

The courses form part of the city's 'IT in the community project' which is funded by York Adult and Community Education, backed by City of York Council. The courses provide training in word-processing, spreadsheets, database design and general computing and are open to complete beginners. Alistair Gourlay, head of lifelong learning, City of York Council, said: "The scheme has proven enormously popular and we are hoping to increase the number of schools involved this year."

For further information, please contact Ray Lyall on 01904 709447.