Chirk-based wood panel manufacturer Kronospan has supported pupils at Ysgol Y Waun by helping the school to buy 30 new Chromebook laptops for pupils ages 7 to 11.

The Welsh school curriculum requires children to have good digital skills. So headteacher John Roberts approached Kronospan for financial assistance.

John Roberts said: “We are the first school in Wrexham to establish a suite of Chromebooks and they have been a great success. "Taking the lead in an IT project is expensive but this is an important development for Chirk children, so we are very grateful to Kronospan for making this fantastic project possible - their generosity has benefited the children in creative and innovative ways.”

Head of IT and Year 5 teacher Aled Powell said: “The impact of using the Chromebooks has been so successful – the children love using them. It makes learning exciting and has had real benefits for pupils, parents and teachers. We have seen real improvements in reading, maths and oracy skills. It is a safe and secure system which has opened up learning for the children.”

Kronospan chairman Mike McKenna said: “We are delighted to help with such a fantastic project at Ysgol Y Waun. IT skills are essential for the future and the children in Chirk are leading the way for other schools in Wales.”

The new Chromebooks are part of a pilot scheme being run by Wrexham Council’s IT department which is trialling the new laptops with Chirk pupils as part of a working project which other schools which will now follow across Wales.