<strong>Older students mentor younger in remarkable confidence boosting reading project </strong>
Older students mentor younger in remarkable confidence boosting reading project
By Jill Dando News
An amazing new mentoring project has begun with older students reading to younger ones.
The older Year 10 students and younger Year 7 students at Priory Community School Academy (PCSA) in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset are working together.
Nine 15 year olds have volunteered their time and confidence in reading to enthuse and support younger students in their school.
Making use of the Learning Resource Centre and Library at PCSA, students will pick a novel - or two! - to read together over the Summer term.
Reading aloud is a vital tool in developing vocabulary and comprehension so by sharing this experience with another lover of books, students will gain real understanding and confidence.
It's thought that by opening up a book with a fellow student, younger readers will feel supported and able to try out new words.
Sarah O'Gorman, Citizenship Coordinator at PCSA, said: "This is all part of a drive for students to become more value driven and supportive and to nurture a real love of reading books.
“Not only does it require integrity - to be able to learn from mistakes and improve - but it also garners real respect between both male and female, older and younger students.
“Looking to their older mentors, Year 7 students will flourish and aspire to become role models like them."
Ali Wray, Teaching and Learning Lead at PCSA, said: "It is fantastic to be able to run a programme where our older students help nurture the skills of our younger ones.
“Everyone involved is showing such wonderful aspiration and it is a joy to be a part of."
Pictured are Year 10 reading mentors happy to meet their Year 7 readers.
