YOUNGSTERS at Tavistock College who have been inspired to read more books have been rewarded for their efforts.

A special celebration took place last week to present prizes to young bookworms who have been taking part in the school's Accelerated Reader Programme.

The initiative, sponsored by Fairway Furniture for the second year running, encourages pupils to read more books from the school library. Youngsters then take a quiz to test their book knowledge and readers who gain 100 per cent are put into an end-of-term draw.

Students who gained 100% were presented with their prizes — donated by Fairway Furniture earlier this month. Sixteen prizes and 70 achievement certificates were given out as well as the overall prize of a Kindle, which was won by 11-year-old Finn Heneghan.

Peter Harding, managing director Fairway Furniture, who donated and presented the prizes, said: 'We're delighted to be sponsoring the Year 7 accelerated reader programme at Tavistock College once again this year.

'Developing literacy is key to a child's development and this programme is fantastic at getting children into reading regularly for fun.  As a parent to two young girls, I love reading with them and seeing their ability develop, so to see the enthusiasm for reading of all the awards winners was fantastic.

'As a former student at Tavistock College, it's great to now be able to put something back into the community by supporting this programme and the leadership at the college is working very hard to get the community involved which is mutually beneficial. 

'Employers like us really benefit from a workforce with good reading and writing skills and this programme helps develop that – we're also talking to the college about partnering on other initiatives which is very exciting.'

Sally Hubbard, assistant principal with responsibility for literacy at Tavistock College, said: 'We had a marvellous celebratory evening and were thrilled with the excellent support from parents and our community reading mentors who spoke about how worthwhile they considered their contribution to encourage reading.

'Literacy underpins all achievement and the support from Fairway Furniture helps us to raise the profile of reading and celebrate success.

'It is wonderful to see students thrilled at winning books and Kindles and feeling proud to show off their successes.

'We are grateful to Fairway Furniture who support our literacy drive here at Tavistock College.'