Challenge is a real page-turner

Almost 40 foundation studies students engaged in The Reading Agency’s Reading Ahead challenge, which encourages young people to read their choice of six books then rate and review them.

Students and staff joined together to celebrate the completion of the challenge which saw 18 young people complete the six reads on Tuesday 20 June.

Each student received a certificate for taking part at a ceremony held in the college’s Relish brasserie, with some taking home a full challenge completion certificate.

Reading Ahead, formerly known as the Six Book Challenge, encourages less confident readers to develop a new reading habit and improve their skills at the same time. Participants are invited to pick six reads of their choice and complete a reading diary in order to receive incentives along the way as well as a certificate.  

Practical work skills student Leanne Daniel, 18, said: “I read my six books in quite a short space of time. I chose Harry Potter books and some fantasy books. Reading these really fired my imagination up and I’m aiming to read a lot more after this interesting challenge.”

Learning resource advisor Claire Barke said: “This is why we continue to take part in this challenge every year, to help our foundation studies students become more confident readers and hopefully discover a love for reading.

“It’s been lovely to see the students discovering new books to read and using the resources available in the learning resource centre to complete this challenge, which in turn will hopefully encourage them to keep reading in the future to advance their literacy skills.”