SIXTH formers have embarked on a new chapter of their lives after being trained to help younger children with their reading, a keystone of a successful education. Richmond School and Sixth Form College students are working together in an initiative proving that reading matters. The project will benefit students young and old. The younger children we be encouraged by their mentors to recognise the pleasures of reading while the 30 sixth formers have undergone training that will result in a formal Level 2 qualification, boosting their CVs. Assistant head teacher at Richmond School and Sixth Form College Emma Dunwoodie said the scheme really was win-win for all the students, particularly those thinking about going on to university or into teaching. “The Year 7 and 8 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 and be a talking point in any future interviews. “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 day was delivered by the charity Reading Matters. Service delivery manager Diane Weatherby said: “The sixth form students were a delight to train, incredibly enthusiastic and I am sure the experience will lead to some amazing results.” Pippa Williams, 16, of Melsonby, said she had found the training fascinating and very useful. “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,” she said. “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.”
