CHILDREN in some of the poorest countries in the world will be able to access the latest textbooks and resources as a school in Bolton uses digital technology to help educate youngsters.

Essa Foundation Academies Trust — which governs Essa Academy and Primary School — is creating a free online library of digital textbooks written by teachers covering a wide range of subjects and for all year groups.

The Trust is at the forefront of using technology in the classroom to raise standards and enrich children’s learning,

The idea is the brainchild Abdul Chohan, the CEO of the Trust, and the acting headteacher of Essa Academy in Great Lever, who was inspired to utilise technology to bring education to all after visiting schools in Africa and Asia.

He said: “I had seen a 1,000 children being educated in just three classrooms, there was no internet, no Wi-Fi.

“I was on a plane thinking why couldn’t we pre-load iPads that people do not want with digital books and they can be sent to those children.”

Already the project has seen the creation of study iBooks, explaining everything from the respiratory system to the Vikings.

Each one has been written for free by a qualified teacher.

Mr Chohan said the books are full of interactive features to bring learning to life for all children.

Youngsters can playing a computer game to understand concepts in chemistry or play a piano in a digital textbook on music.

Mr Chohan said: “I am very excited about this.

"As a teacher you want to be able to educate youngsters, and children no matter where they are will be able to access the digital library through iTunes.

“Each of the digital textbooks can be updated they will be able to transform education for children in schools without resources."

He added: "Bolton School is working with the Trust to create digital textbooks for their pupils, which will also form part of the library.

"All these high quality digital textbooks will be available to pupils in fee-paying schools, those in the state-sector to those children who have no very little resources in the classroom."

Ten iBooks are ready and now the school is appealing for other teachers to get on board and author a digital textbook. Teachers do not need any technical expertise because the book will be created in house by Essa Academy.

The library should go online this summer.

Qualified teachers, current or retired, who want to author a book should email BrennanC@EssaAcademy.org or HawkinsE@EssayAcademy.org.