by Simon Tulett

Pupils at a school in Kent have been handed computer games instead of hockey sticks during PE lessons.

Instead of clashing with an opposing centre-forward, some students at Northfleet Technology College are battling a television screen linked up to a Nintendo Wii games console, thus avoiding having to play any actual sport.

Staff at the Colyer Road secondary school say the equipment, which allows youngsters to interact with the screen using wireless controllers, is encouraging sport-shy children back to exercise.

About 30 children aged from 11 to 14 are opting for the classes for two hours each week, with games ranging from the Wii Sports package of tennis, bowling and baseball to Wii Fit, a mix of balance, yoga and cardiovascular exercises.

Aaron Brown, the school’s progress manager, said: “It’s for students disaffected from lessons. Generally the guys are slightly overweight and not particularly good at PE. The whole idea is to get them invigorated and enjoying PE again.”

Students who opt for the six-week block away from regular PE classes are split into groups of 16 using four Wii consoles, which can cost up to £200 each. Youngsters take it in turns to use the controls, which include remote handsets and a Wii board, while others follow their movements.

Mr Brown said the school is also planning to introduce titles like Mario and Sonic’s Olympics and Wii Sports Resort to lessons.

The approach has been slammed by the Campaign for Real Education. Its chairman, Nick Seaton, said: “This smacks of poor discipline. The teachers should ensure that their pupils are using their abilities. There’s nothing better than competitive sports for stretching achievement.”

But Mr Brown said many of the children in Wii classes failed to bring their kit to regular PE lessons to avoid them.

“They weren’t interested in enjoying PE,” he said. “If they are not involved in it at least they are getting active. For some students school could be the last time they do anything active.”

The Government has spoken in support of the approach. A spokesman from the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: “There is a place for innovative approaches and providing a broad range of activities as a means to an end - rather than writing off children who are turned off by traditional sport.”