A GARSTON secondary school is the first in Hertfordshire, and one of only four in the country, that registers its pupils using their fingertips.

Instead of teachers at Francis Combe School, Horseshoe Lane, calling out names in class, students just touch a sensor with their registered finger when they enter the room.

They have to do this within about five minutes of the first student registering, otherwise they are marked as late.

Attendance information is then logged into the computer and any absences that have not been accounted for can be followed up by school staff.

The system even allows the attendance officer to automatically generate text messages or e-mails that inform parents and guardians of a child's absence, and asks them to contact the school about it.

Deputy headteacher at Francis Coombe, Geoff Carr, said: "We love the new system. We think it's absolutely terrific.

"It has made the whole process of registration much more effective and very much more accurate than ever before.

"The pupils have adapted to the new technology faster than the staff. They help us out with it.

"So far this year, I have only had two absences, and no lateness at all, although this may not be true for every teacher."

He said the new system had virtually eliminated lateness in class and that parents and carers were really appreciative of all the information the school can now give them about their child's attendance.

He said the system also covers sixth formers and can be used to determine whether or not they get paid their £30 a week Education Maintenance Allowance.

He said that although the school encourages independent learning, it wants sixth formers to be in lessons, so they can get the grades they need.

The technology, called Vericool, is produced and designed by Anteon UK Ltd and costs about £25,000 per school.

It uses an existing database, called SIMS, which about 5,500 schools already operate in the UK.

Business manager at Anteon, Paul Coase, said: "The system at Francis Combe went live on September 6.

"Pupils have to simply put their finger on the scanner and registration is complete.

"Schools that have implemented our system have seen a dramatic increase in attendance.

"We are getting reports from the schools that the pupils are more serene.

"They love it and it gives them another reason to be in class. The only problems we have had are teething problems with the SIMS system."

He said, on average, the system costs about £6, per student, for their whole school career.

The fingertip system can also be adapted to organise school dinner payments.

It is hoped that this will replace the swipe card system used in many schools, as it is designed to eliminate the possibility of children forgetting or losing their cards.