A HEADTEACHER is trading text books for technology to expand his innovative on-line training firm.

Paul Kilgallon bought into 21stnetwork.com in September as a provider of computer training courses for those who cannot pay high prices for software skills.

Trading under the name learnwithus.co.uk, he said the success of the company means he will be giving up teaching at Christmas to run the business full-time.

"I became interested by accident," said the head ofHartlebury First School.

"I did internet and software training myself to help at school, which cost a lot of money.

"Then I was offered the chance to become a consultant for 21stnetwork.com which gives people the chance to learn at their computer for a fraction of the usual price."

The former deputy headteacher at St Barnabas First School in Kidderminster said he had always been a teacher but decided to give this new line of work a go.

"I will miss the children," he said. "But I won't miss the paperwork that seems to go with the job these days.

"It is a very exciting prospect and I didn't want to get older wondering whether I could have done it or not."

Mr Kilgallon's new business acquisition means he will be able to supply a wide range of courses on the internet.

"This way people can go over the training package as much as they like over that time," he said.

The 37-year-old of Kingsbury Road, St John's, is currently compiling a portfolio for the Government's Learn Online initiative which he hopes will earn 21stnetwork.com a place on its learning resources database.

"Word '97 - beginner, immediate and advanced levels - and Discovering the Internet are two courses we are offering for nothing so people can get started," Mr Kilgallon added.