Year 7 Students at The Royal Harbour Academy Join Global Reading Record Attempt with Author Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Date: 8th October 2026

Where: The Royal Harbour Academy

Year 7 students at The Royal Harbour Academy took part in an exciting global reading initiative on Thursday 8 October 2026, joining readers around the world in the hope of setting a new Guinness World Records title.

The students participated in Take 10, a collective reading event delivered in partnership with the British Council. The initiative brought together students, teachers, families and communities across the globe, encouraging people everywhere to take ten minutes out of their day to enjoy the power of reading.

As part of the event, Year 7 students joined a live session featuring acclaimed author Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Following the session, they settled down to read for ten minutes, contributing to the worldwide record attempt and becoming part of a shared celebration of books and stories.

Mrs Stanley, Key Stage 3 Literacy Coordinator at The Royal Harbour Academy, said: “It was wonderful to see our Year 7 students getting involved in such an exciting global initiative. Reading for just ten minutes might seem like a small thing, but when people across the world do it together, it becomes something really special. Joining the live event with Frank Cottrell-Boyce made the experience even more memorable, and we are delighted that our students have played a part in this ambitious record attempt.”

One Year 7 student said: “It was really exciting to know that we were reading at the same time as people all around the world. I enjoyed being part of the live event with Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and it felt special to think that our ten minutes of reading could help to break a world record!”

This year, Take 10 became a global initiative through its partnership with the British Council, drawing on the organisation’s extensive network of education and cultural partners in 85 countries and territories. The event connected readers across borders, highlighting how a shared love of reading can bring people and communities together.

By taking part, the Year 7 students helped celebrate the importance of reading for pleasure while demonstrating how a simple ten-minute break with a book can contribute to something much bigger.

Following the event, evidence will be submitted to Guinness World Records for verification. Once reviewed and officially approved, Guinness World Records will confirm whether a new record has been set and Year 7 will discover if they are record breakers.