Sarvenaz’s Story

Sarvenaz’s Story: From ‘reluctant reader’ to engaged and confident

Sarvenaz was a ‘reluctant reader’ before she took part in the Bookmark programme.

The seven-year-old refused to read at home and was unable to focus during reading time at school. Her teacher, Cristiana, said: “Everyone else would have a book out, but Sarvenaz would be fidgeting, or chatting, or the book would be closed.”

In class, Sarvenaz is a confident child, but her confidence in reading was low – until she took part in the Bookmark programme. This ‘change in attitude’, Cristiana said, ‘pushed her forward’.

Sarvenaz was ‘engaged and chatty’ during the six-week programme. English is rarely spoken by her family at home in Bradford, so the one-to-one support she got from her volunteer was ‘beneficial’, according to her teaching assistant.

Today, Cristiana describes Sarvenaz as an engaged and motivated reader. And her improved focus has benefitted her writing too. Cristiana said: “She is more willing to read as a result of the programme and enjoys reading so much more.”

"She is more willing to read and enjoys reading so much more."