Best-selling international children’s author Darren Shan has partnered with Court Fields School in Wellington to help engage its students in reading while on lockdown.

Over the last few weeks the English department has been publishing a chapter a day of the vampire novel Cirque Du Freak, after Darren gave teachers permission to do so. These were read aloud by staff, and accompanied by lessons for Year 7 students, but open for everyone to enjoy.

The team were thrilled to discover that Mr Shan had blogged about their efforts and agreed to read two chapters himself.

Head of English Lisa Martin said: “It’s fantastic to have the support of an author as well-known as Darren Shan. Our students have loved the publication of our school audiobook, and to have Darren himself reading the final two chapters is the icing on the cake!

“Reading is so important, especially at this time, when schools are closed, and encouraging our students to read will help to develop their literacy and vocabulary while at home, which has a significant impact on children’s life chances.”

Anyone who has missed any of the chapters, or wants to enjoy them again, can find them on social media (Twitter @courtfieldssch) or on the school’s website, courtfields.net/category/english/