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Reading Ahead programme is an example for colleges across the country

The Manchester College’s work with the Reading Agency’s Reading Ahead programme has been used as a good practice case study on the Excellence Gateway, the Education and Training Foundation’s resources portal.

The Manchester College has run Reading Ahead (previously the Six Book Challenge) since 2012. To complete the challenge, students and colleagues read any six pieces of writing, whether books, magazine articles, web pieces or poems. The Manchester College has encouraged 338 completers over the finish line to date. The challenge supports participants with their literacy, love of reading and Functional Skills, whatever their ability. Participants write reviews of the pieces they read. Students have also organised related charity events, including a book sale for Shelter.

Quoted in the Excellence Gateway case study, Departmental Team Leader for ESOL, Yacob Yonis, said:  “They have to choose. That triggers the joy, which is the beauty of it. It’s like a gateway. Stories are the same around the world, just in different languages.” 

Read the Excellence Gateway piece (external website)