Reading Ahead Improving literacy through reading for pleasure

The Reading Agency Independent national charity founded in 2002 Mission to give everyone an equal chance in life by helping people become confident and enthusiastic readers. Because everything changes when we read Inspire, share and celebrate reading Formal partnership with public libraries; work nationally with government, broadcasters, publishers Work with libraries, schools, colleges, prisons, workplaces at local level

What is Reading Ahead ? (formerly called Six Book Challenge) An invitation to read six books or other ‘texts’ and record, review and rate reading in a diary Library support for choosing what to read Creative activity such as reading groups Incentives to increase retention Certificate for those who read less than six things (participation certificate for less) A proven way of engaging and motivating adults to improve their literacy skills

Creating a virtuous circle Learners engaged in (more) text Learners enjoy reading Learners practise skills Learners improve skills Learners want to read more

Target audience People aged 16 and above who struggle with the written word or who are learning English (or Welsh) It is also useful for people who want to get back into reading The key requirement is that participants should be challenging themselves

Why is it needed? 5.1 million adults of working age are STILL at the level expected of an 11 year old (moved from 16% to 15% since 2003) 14.8 million adults would not achieve a GCSE at A* - C grade (improved from 39.5% to 28.5% since 2003) 2011 Skills for Life Survey: Headline findings Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Dec 2011

16-24 year olds in England are rated 22 nd our of 24 countries for literacy. They have slightly worse skills than people aged between 55 and 65. Survey of Adult Skills (PIACC), OECD, Oct 2013

National agendas in 2015/16 Business, Skills & Innovation Committee Report on Adult Literacy & Numeracy asking for better funded, more flexible and higher profile approach Read On Get On – 10-year coalition initiated by Save the Children to ensure every child reading ‘well’ by age of 11 – importance of family dimension Rise in participation age to 18 and drive for students to achieve Grade C GCSE English

Six Book Challenge 2015 headline results 48,000 people registered 12,000 through public libraries and partners 19,000 in FE and sixth form colleges 13,5000 in prisons 3500 in workplaces 92% of survey respondents said they felt more confident about reading

Eight years of the Six Book Challenge Grown seven-fold since 2008 Four sectors with colleges ahead – approx 120 FE and 6 th form colleges in 2015 across the UK Recognised by Ofsted, HMI Prisons Endorsed by college principals, prison governors, workplace managers and heads of library services

Six Book Challenge

Reading Ahead 2015/16 Packs to promote the programme and run it available for September start Prize draws for completers – trip to London Prize draws for public libraries, colleges, prisons and workplaces – author visits Gold/silver/bronze award scheme Support from four ambassadors – Martina Cole, Andy McNab, Adele Parks and Bali Rai

Benefits for participants Increase in confidence about reading Increase in other skills, eg writing, vocabulary, speaking and listening, and knowledge Increase in enjoyment in reading Increase in sense of well-being, belonging, identity as a reader Tangible record of achievement – certificate, CV, testimony

Benefits for organisers ‘Off the peg’ nationally recognised programme Practical framework to support skills development Simple tool for partnership working Raises awareness of the library offer Creates a buzz around reading for all ages & abilities Start of a reading journey – progression to volunteering/mentoring, reading group activity

Reading Ahead website Unique Find a Read database – nearly 500 titles Invitation to create online profile, log, rate and review each read Improved search and reviewing facilities More explicit labelling for reading level search Strategy to encourage greater use and more focus on shared reading recommendations, eg prize draws

Emergent reader publishers

Contacts Genevieve Clarke David Kendall Daniel Colagiovanni