A NEW programme of reading has been introduced at a Worcester school to help boost reading levels.

Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College will follow the Renaissance Reading scheme, which enables students to choose reading and fact books suitable for their level of vocabulary and understanding and tests them on their comprehension.

As part of the scheme, Linda Bromyard, school librarian, and a team of student librarians, have re-organised and re-catalogued all the books in the school's library.

Year 8 student Megan Bury and Year 11 student Hannah Richardson helped with the reorganisation while Adam Collins in Year 10 created all the signs for the different levels of books.

Six hundred students have also taken an initial test to personalise their level which is reassessed every four months.

Sean Devlin, principal, said: “Renaissance Reading is a tested programme that helps children of all reading ability to improve their reading levels.

"It also encourages children to enjoy reading and to see for themselves how they are improving their reading skills.

"Improved reading skills lead to higher levels of academic attainment which then leads to our young adults being able to assess higher education and better employment opportunities when they leave college."

The children will take a quiz to assess their level of comprehension about the book within 24 hours of completing it.