A Reading school has been nominated for an international Covid award for its work during the pandemic.

Reading Girls', an academy school based on Northumberland Avenue, has been shortlisted in the category ‘Covid Champion’, along with:

  • AstraZeneca
  • Guys and St Thomas’ Foundation NHS Trust
  • Independent Garage Association
  • Kellog’s
  • Lidl GB
  • Novartis
  • Teacher Empowerment Programme

The award celebrates educational provision during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Principal Jon Gargan said: “We are overwhelmed because this is not a reward exclusive to schools.

“Rather, we are the only school in a category with multi-million pound national and international corporate organisations and large Trusts.

“Given the gulf in difference in resources available, I’m sure it will be extremely challenging to win in that category but we are so proud of pupils, parents and of course staff who worked so hard to ensure that the pandemic does not disturb learning.”

Why has Reading Girls' School been nominated?

Since the pandemic in March, Reading Girls – part of the Baylis Court Trust – has delivered more than 5,000 online live face-to-face timetabled lessons.

It has been running “hybrid lessons” – live-streaming from the classroom to self-isolating pupils at home as well as teachers in isolation live-streaming to the classroom.

Two girls who are stuck in the middle East have been joining their classmates in lessons since September.

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The school also has a ‘Covid catch-up teacher’ who delivers lessons to pupils whose learning has been most affected by the pandemic.

It has continued assessments, parents evenings, school counsellor sessions and even held a talent show, all online, and has also held weekly phone calls with vulnerable and key worker students and hosted coffee mornings with year six parents.

The school has also given out 53 Chromebooks to children who do not have devices which can access lessons.

When will the awards take place?

The awards are run by The Learning Performance Institute (LPI) who are a global membership body for learning professionals.

Their aim is to raise the profile of the workplace learning sector by sharing and celebrating the knowledge, experience and skills of its members and partners.

The judging will take place from 16 – 25 November, with the awards ceremony taking place on February 18, 2021.