Reading is at the heart of academic success and helps to develop a robust mental health amongst young people.  Braidhurst has risen to the challenge of strengthening the literacy skills of our pupils in lower school by inviting them to participate in a ‘Reading Championship’.  This program is run by the school library and delivered as part of the S1-S2 English curriculum.  Pupils have good reason to get engaged with personal reading, as the more books they read will lead to certificates, badges, trophies, and a class rewards afternoon involving pizzas and a movie.  Pupils have admirably risen to challenge with the majority taking their library book home to read in their spare time and visiting the school library on a very regular basis looking for their next book to devour.  Mrs McKenna, Depute Head Teacher in charge of the Pupil Equity fund, remarked that “the ‘Reading Championship’ puts front and centre our belief that literacy goes beyond classroom based activities and assessments and is a skill which enriches our lives on a daily basis.  Promoting reading for pleasure is an essential part of our strategy to raise literacy levels across the Broad General Education phase of the school and we are committed to encouraging our pupils by recognising their efforts in this regard.”