AN award-winning interactive CD-Rom for physics students has been developed by a lecturer at Swindon's New College.

And thanks to a funding boost, the AS-Level disc will be issued to every school and college in the country.

Designed by physics lecturer Pat Hinchliffe, the disc won the national Beacon Award at a ceremony in Birmingham.

It is currently used by all physics students at New College, allowing them to study in an interactive way.

College principal Graham Taylor said: "I'm delighted. This is our third award since 1998. We are winners in sports and maths as well.

"I'm particularly pleased for Pat, who has taken a great interest in new methods of learning, particularly the potential and power of computer-based delivery.

"He's worked very hard to develop a truly excellent product."

Mr Hinchliffe said: "My students even handed a copy to Tony Blair when he visited New College last May.

"One student gave him a copy as the Prime Minister said it had been his weakest subject at school."

More good news has come the college's way with the announce- ment that it has been awarded funding by the Learning and Skills Council for Excellence in Science.

This will enable the CD-Rom to be given to every school and college in the country.

Jane Wales, head of science at the college, added: "We feel that other sixth forms and colleges could deliver the course using the CD-Rom and that many students would benefit from the material which we have developed.

"We aim to get feedback from teachers everywhere and build up a suite of interactive CD-Roms for science subjects.

"These are exciting times."

The CD-Rom contains various interactive features and self-tests.

The college says it is popular with students and well-used.

Feedback from students suggests the disc is popular because it offers an exciting sense of discovery.

The award was made after teachers from New College and other colleges tested it for everything from thoroughness to innovation.

New College staff monitor student use of the CD-Rom by checking on self-tests completed.

Science is popular at the college, with 82 per cent of the science students progressing to study it at Higher Education level.

www.newcollege.co.uk