Northampton College student wins national competition prize to improve literacy levels

Sarah Lawless, who studied at Northampton College’s Daventry campus, was named the winner of the Reading Agency’s national prize draw following this year’s Reading Ahead initiative.

The programme encourages people to read and share their experiences of reading books, magazines and blogs.

Librarian Hannah Painting said: “Reading Ahead is such an important event in our library calendar because of the immense impact it has on the students’ learning experience, their confidence and the development of their skills.

“I am proud that our Library has become a centre of excellent practice in developing literacy through the scheme, with thousands of students participating in the challenge over the last nine years.”

Sarah, who will receive an e-reader to encourage her to keep reading in the future, is an enthusiastic library user who participated in a number of activities staged by the College Library throughout the year.

She said: "I enjoyed taking part in the Reading Ahead scheme and I liked the fact that it doesn't always have to be about books, it can be things such as magazines as well.

“I am a real bookworm, I have always loved reading as it helps me escape in to a different world. This challenge has enabled me to improve my confidence even more and I hope that it will help others the way it has helped me.”