By Mrs Johns (English Teacher)

We are delighted to announce the launch of this year’s Read to Succeed Awards, now open to both Year 7 and Year 8 students at Bedford Girls’ School.

The awards are designed to do more than celebrate reading; they encourage growth. By completing the fifteen challenges, students are invited to step outside their comfort zone, discover new genres, and strengthen the skills that will support them across every subject. From poetry to biographies, historical fiction to short stories, the programme offers something for everyone and helps nurture a genuine love of reading.

There are also rewards along the way: each completed award earns a House Point, and the students who complete the most awards will be named as Reading Ambassadors for the school - a role that recognises their enthusiasm and inspires others to get reading too.

Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that fewer than half of young people regularly read for pleasure, despite the proven benefits for wellbeing, empathy, and academic success. Reading is not only transformative in the classroom; it can transport us across time and space, offering new perspectives and building the empathy needed to become leaders of the future.

With October half-term around the corner, now is the perfect time to put down our phones and pick up a book. To make it easier, we have curated a wide range of age-appropriate reading recommendations, including special picks from our Year 8 Reading Ambassadors.

Full details, including reading lists and award guidance, are available on the Read to Succeed website. Students can get started straight away by visiting the LRC and joining the dedicated Google Classroom.

At BGS, we believe reading opens doors to imagination, understanding, and success. We encourage every Year 7 and Year 8 student to take up the challenge this year and truly Read to Succeed.