A Wiltshire primary school is celebrating winning a national reading prize despite competition from hundreds of other schools.

Ogbourne CofE Primary School was awarded the Small Schools category in the National Read-Aloud Challenge, in which 550 schools took part.

The school is part of the Excalibur Academies Trust, which has been celebrating winning the MAT of the Year award.

Ogbourne CofE Primary School will have the opportunity to meet TV presenter Clare Balding at the Amazon HQ awards ceremony in London.

The National Read-Aloud Challenge is a free initiative that uses the Fonetti app, which uses a variety of fictional and factual books.

The app is designed to foster a love of reading and build confidence.

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During the summer holidays, students at Excalibur Academies Trust collectively spent 284 hours on the app.

The school community, including parents and students, gave positive feedback.

One student, Sidney, said: "It was a really good thing to do as you don’t get bored as the books are different.

"I like finishing whole books until the end."

Another student, Izzy, said: "You can do it at any age and find books for every age.

"So many new and interesting ones to choose from!"

Lucy Crump, principal of Ogbourne CofE Primary School, said: "The reading-aloud challenge was a great way to get children engaged in and help to promote a love of reading.

"It was also a brilliant way for the children to practise their fluency skills.

"We are really proud of all the children who took part and are delighted to have won the small schools prize."

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Nick Lewis, chief executive of Excalibur Academies Trust, said: "As a trust which places great emphasis on, and encouragement for, the love of reading, we are absolutely thrilled with these awards.

"They recognise considerable hard work and speak volumes about the expertise we have within the trust.

"A huge well done to Ogbourne CofE Primary and Lambourn CofE Primary for their outstanding efforts."

Vicki Edgar, head of customer success at Fonetti, said: "We were particularly impressed with the high levels of independent reading and the enthusiasm shown by the children at Excalibur, and in particular Ogbourne CofE and Lambourn CofE primaries.

"At a time when at-home reading engagement is reportedly at an all-time low, it’s inspiring to see these students embracing the joy of reading with such enthusiasm."

Ogbourne CofE Primary School will be travelling to London for the National Read-Aloud Challenge Awards Ceremony on Thursday, January 16.