SEND Tutor Hosts Free Summer Reading Club Online

A special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tutor based in Kent is providing a free weekly online book club for children throughout the summer holidays. Glynda Cullen runs the club from her home in Higham, utilizing Zoom to connect with neurodiverse students who are discussing Peter Burns' novel, 'Shadow Thieves'.

Cullen explained that the virtual sessions are designed to assist children who may struggle with executive function skills, making lengthy books seem daunting. The club encourages these students to engage with literature by reading in manageable segments and meeting weekly to share their interpretations of the characters and plot.

The initiative has proven popular, with participants like 12-year-old George praising the immersive storyline. Fifteen-year-old Zane finds the meetings "a really cool thing." The club recently welcomed author Peter Burns, who expressed his delight at the group's engagement, calling it "the most rewarding thing imaginable."