Sixth-formers pass on their love of reading

Students from Richmond School and Sixth Form College are to help those aged 11 and 12 to enjoy reading.

A group of 30 sixth-formers have been given training by a literacy charity to help inspire younger pupils at the school. The project aims to promote a love of reading among younger children while giving older students practical experience of real mentoring work. It will also result in a formal qualification for the sixth-formers involved.

Assistant head teacher at Richmond School and Sixth Form College Emma Dunwoodie said the scheme would benefit all students, particularly those thinking about going on to university or into teaching.

“The year seven and eight pupils will be mentored by older students who they instinctively look up to,” she said.

“Peer power is an incredibly motivating force, especially as some of the sixth-formers themselves have overcome literacy issues in their lives.

“For the sixth formers the project provides a rare opportunity seldom offered by colleges – a ready pool of children to mentor – which will provide impressive reading on their CVs and Ucas forms. Reading underpins everything that students do when they come to school. If they struggle, they will struggle with everything and will become disengaged.

“The older students will help them so they become more confident readers, whether they are finding reading challenging or they are gifted and talented.”

The training for the students was delivered by the charity Reading Matters. Student Pippa Williams, 16, of Melsonby, said: “I would like to go into the police force and the project has already boosted my confidence around people who might have their own issues. The initiative is a really good opportunity for sixth-formers and I think we will learn a great deal from working with the younger children.”