LITERACY came to the forefront of education yesterday when a best-selling author encouraged boys to unleash their creative side.

Andrew Cope, the man behind the hugely successful Spy Dog series, visited Old Town’s Commonweal School to conduct a workshop aimed at helping Year 5 and Year 6

boys improve their literacy skills.

The author’s Art of Brilliance lecture encouraged the boys to adopt new habits, step away from their TVs and laptops and get into reading.

One hundred pupils from Lethbridge, Robert Le Kyng, King William Street and Even Swindon schools were treated to the day’s masterclass with the talented author.

Free books were handed out with unusual short story writing challenges set which were designed to test the pupil’s literary flair and creativity.

A group of 43 year 10 mentors who excel in English were enlisted to help supervise the sessions.

Keith Defter, head teacher at Commonweal said: "One of the priorities for Swindon is to raise standards in literacy – especially in boys.

“This is about harnessing their creativity and their positivity and realising how enjoyable it can be to learn."

Budding wordsmith Ethan Neilson, from Even Swindon School won the overall short story prize for his zoo-themed tale which saw a woman’s toenails melted by an escaped sloth.

He said: “I was really proud when I won, especially being told my writing is good from an author.”

Andrew, who awarded Ethan with a Spy Dog shirt and book said he was impressed with the budding author's efforts.

“There were eight amazing stories. Ethan’s was standout brilliant.” said Andy .

Deputy head of English Clare Riach said the day was aimed at boys seeing the fun side of reading and writing.

“It’s about getting the boys to get back to basics. Even I find sometimes I will go onto Facebook instead of taking the time away from my computer and reading a good book. Reading can transport you anywhere and it develops your imagination," she said.

“We want them to see reading and writing is fun, that’s ultimately what it is all about. If they see the Year 10s getting involved they will be more inclined to pick up a book.

“It’s a critical time for the boys, because at this age they start to move away from reading and into playing on computers and Xbox. If we can get them to go back to basics and see that reading is fun and enjoyable than this day will be a huge success.

Clare said she was delighted with the response to Andy’s activities and the maturity shown by the mentors.

“The boys have been excited about today, we're getting to see a different side of them today and I do think it’s because it is just aimed at boys,” she said.

“We also have a great group of really positive young men who will serve as excellent role models and ambassadors for literacy,”