Reading to succeed proves a massive hit
Hundreds of pupils from secondary schools across North Lanarkshire gathered to celebrate this year’s Read to Succeed programme.
The initiative is part of a campaign to encourage reading for pleasure and is aimed at all S1 pupils.
Each school gets a visit from a published author and new books are given to school libraries.
Terry Cowan, the council’s literacy development officer, said: “We aim to make reading for pleasure a priority and our secondary school librarians provide excellent support and encouragement to all pupils encourage them to read books they enjoy.
“The Read to Succeed programme is focused on getting S1 pupils hooked on reading for pleasure.”
Dan Freedman, author of the Jamie Johnson football novels, gave a presentation about his life and what it’s like to be a writer to pupils.
He said: “It’s a real privilege to come along and get to meet the pupils and encourage them to choose books that they want to read.
“Reading helps every aspect of your life, from mental wellbeing, to how you express yourself and ultimately the aspirations you hope to achieve in your life.
“Read to Succeed is a great initiative and it will help the young people who have taken part to achieve their goals.”
Terry Cowan added: “With funding from the Scottish Attainment Challenge, every secondary school across North Lanarkshire has received a set of books suitable for S1 pupils chosen by our school librarians to ensure every pupil will have access to books suitable for their interest and ability levels.