East Kent College Broadstairs Supporting Evidence

Progression Level 1 HairdressingSome of our students have not read before, and the group were initially shy about reading, and not keen to get involved. We started going in to Learning Zone as part of Six Book Challenge, it took a while to get everyone on board, and to start reading as it was so new to them, but now the whole group are engaged with reading. They enjoy the reading workshops in Learning Zone and crash out in the space to read. The group talk to each other about the books they have read and then swap books.Flavia speaks English as a second language and has to translate all her reading. Flavia has discovered reading for pleasure and her reading has ‘clicked’ so that she gets lost in her book.Lucy had not read a whole book before and now reads all the time, which means that her literacy skills have improved in her study as well. Lucy has read twelve fiction books since starting the challenge!Reading is an important part of student study, they need to improve their levels of reading to be able to complete their coursework to a good standard. Everyone’s level of reading and comprehension has increased since they have been reading on the challenge which has also helped with their writing skills.

Lucy Flavia

Zoe Kersley Hairdressing and Functional Skills English Lecturer for Progression

Supported Living Entry 3The group look forward to going into Learning Zone for reading time, and enjoy taking back their books and talking to the Learning Zone team, which is good for their communication skills and confidence. There is clear progression in reading with students moving through different reading series and authors that they particularly like.James was so taken with the Winnie the Pooh book he read, that he wrote a whole book review a page for each chapter in his reading diary, filling up the whole diary! He has now progressed to the next reading level and is reading Roald Dahl starting with the shorter books, this is really stretching his reading ability and improving comprehension skills.Ross is now reading Shades teen fiction, which is more age appropriate and is enjoying stories and subjects that he can relate to. Ross is so pleased to have more ‘grown up’ books to read. The students are now familiar with where to find books in Learning Zone and look for books about hobbies including sky diving, pets and Dr Who, this generates discussion in the group with sharing of ideas and interests. There is now peer support in the group and they encourage and support each other with reading.Rachel Moss Programme Director for Education

East Kent College Broadstairs Supporting Evidence

Life Employability and personal Development (LEAP) Diploma Level 1Lauren is blind and reads braille, Lauren’s reading level has increased so much since she started the Six Book Challenge that she now reads her reading book at home as well as in college. Lauren has read one volume so far, which is the same as three written books. We’ve seen huge changes in Lauren’s confidence and communication skills. Lauren’s Mum is delighted that Lauren is taking part in the reading challenge and has commented on the change in Lauren.

Lauren

Hilary Woodward Learning Support Practitioner

Discovery StudentsSix Book Challenge has made us connect with the college Learning Zone, as a place of comfort it brings a sense of routine and escapism, their lives are quite structured and when they read these books they can escape into the world that they paint.Luke Daniels Learning Support Practitioner

Additional Learning SupportHow has Learning Zone Six Book Challenge made a difference to your students? I think it has helped them think about reading not just as part of English or Reading class, but as a collective challenge, a peer effort and a collective goal.I have noticed an increased in confidence in one of my students, who used to be so reluctant to volunteer to read. They are now more likely to put their hands up, to tackle sounding out unfamiliar words, and even, at times, are keen to continue reading more than their share because they are now actually enjoying the experience!Myriam Blanc Learning Support Practitioner