“Many of our children don’t have access to ANY books at home. Creating a vibrant, exciting place to access books was essential in developing the children’s love for reading.”
Miss Spencer, Deputy Headteacher
Bonnygate Primary School, Essex
A new school library created for an expanding community where children don’t all have access to books.
Summary
The community around Bonnygate School is growing and changing and the school is having to adapt to meet the needs of the new intake of children.
When Mrs McHugh took up post in 2013 one of her key aims was to raise the profile of reading within the school. Initially, there was only the budget for a small library. However, having progressed in their school journey, and growing in numbers, creating a larger library space was essential. She knew the new library needed to be really special to entice pupils in and get them to see reading as a fun activity.
Challenges
The new library needed to be exciting, vibrant and unique. It had to deliver a strong message that reading and books are fun and to captivate the children and fire up their imaginations.
How BookSpace helped
As well as creating an enticing space that looked intriguing, BookSpace were conscious that it needed to deliver some real results. The furniture needed to make it as easy as possible for children to see the books and find one to read. The design also needed to provide plenty of spaces for the children to get cosy with their chosen book. Only by combining the magical look, making the books accessible and providing quiet reading spaces could the children begin to experience the pleasure in reading.
“BookSpace really understood our brief,” says Mrs McHugh. “They thought outside the box and showed a real understanding of the need to get our pupils to WANT to go into the library in the first place. And they do. They’re excited about going to the library and they’re learning how to handle and respect books which is a real result.”
“Now every pupil has access to a comfy reading space!”
Headteacher, Bonnygate Primary School
Library Design Service
At BookSpace we love helping to design reading spaces no matter how large or small. Our experienced team of designers, in-depth knowledge of primary schools and superb range of contemporary school library furniture combine to ensure that BookSpace is the ideal choice. Whatever the size and shape of your space, whichever the year group taught, we can create your dream school library.
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