Students at Ysgol Bryn Alyn, in Gwersyllt have not let the pandemic stand in the way of their reading progress, by taking part in virtual one-to-one reading sessions with dedicated reading coaches during lockdown.
Each day, participating students meet with their coaches for 20 minutes to read the sometimes gruesome and often funny, Kay's Anatomy - a non-fiction science book by Adam Kay, author of This is going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor.
Ysgol Bryn Alyn Year 7 pupil Crystal Lewis picking up her book during lockdown.
Deputy headteacher Alison Kipping is delighted with the impact of the sessions.
She said: "Encouraging reading of all our students is a key to developing successful learners.
"Maintaining provision at home for our vulnerable learners is part of our innovative online learning provision at Ysgol Bryn Alyn, which is ensuring students are receiving high quality provision at home that matches our in-school provision.
"Our virtual online reading scheme is ensuring we are creating ambitious, capable learners for the future."
To promote a love of reading, each child received their own copy of the book to indulge in whilst away from the classroom.
Jenn Robinson, head of literacy, ready to deliver Year 7 reading books around the Ysgol Bryn Alyn community.
According to Jenn Robinson, head of literacy, the feedback from staff, students and parents has been really positive.
One student thanked his reading coach for the sessions that he said were really helping him to build confidence in his reading skills, whilst a parent noted just how much her child's reading and engagement had improved since starting the initiative.
One student said: "Thank you miss, I loved this session today, and it's really interesting to know that your skin can turn orange if you eat too many carrots!"
Books ready to be delivered home to students at Ysgol Bryn Alyn.
Staff at the school have commended the children's resilience and enthusiasm for improving their literacy and thanked parents for their ongoing support during difficult times.
Jasmin Morgan (Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator) is thrilled YBA have started the scheme, enabling all students to engage with learning and reading at home.
She said: "This initiative includes a range of wider opportunities for students to develop a love of reading including weekly online book releases, World Book Day celebrations, access to audio books and sharing online performances such as Romeo and Juliet performed at The Globe Theatre in London."
Debbie Taylor, Ysgol Bryn Alyn librarian, supporting Year 7 readers from home.
Students and staff alike are looking forward to getting back to the classroom very soon to develop new ways to champion reading and to be able to access YBA's very well equipped library with the support and advice of the YBA librarian, Debbie Taylor.
Headteacher, Adele Slinn addeed: "Reading is a vital part of supporting not only the academic potential of our young people but also their wellbeing, giving them an escape route to other worlds during these unprecedented times, we are very proud of our pupils."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here