Cwmbran teacher connecting with pupils through love of reading

Many children were left wondering when they would next see their classmates, or if they would see their favourite teachers again.

One Torfaen primary school teacher has used his love of reading to connect with his year one class over the enforced break.

Gavin Davies, from Llantarnam Primary School in Cwmbran, is currently in self-isolation, but to interact with his class with daily videos.

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Mr Davies set up 'Storytime with Mr Davies from Llantarnam Primary', where he reads a book a day on Facebook.

"When we closed, the kids were asking when they would see me again and if they would be in the same class again." he said.

"I said I wanted to do something so they could see me.

"I love reading, so I started by reading stories.

"But it will also be much more than just reading stories - for example I'm looking into incubating some eggs.

"I try to have fun with it. We didn't do World Book Day at Llantarnam, so on Thursday I will be reading a book in fancy dress.

(Llantarnam Primary School teacher Gavin Davies has been connecting with his class by reading stories online. Picture: Gavin Davies)

"I set it up expecting around 30 people to join the page, and now it has almost 800 people.

"As adults, we don't really know what's going on in the world at the moment, so its so much worse for the children.

"I think this is a time where social media can make a huge difference.

"I even had a message from an older lady who lives on her own and is in isolation who said she loves tuning in for my videos."

Mr Davies posts on the 'Storytime with Mr Davies from Llantarnam Primary' Facebook page at around 3pm each day.