“We chose BookSpace because they are experts in this field. They only supply primary school libraries and their knowledge was evident right from the initial meeting.”
Shabiha Sayed
Deputy Headteacher.
Elsley Primary School, Wembley
A multi-functional school library for pupils and the wider local community to use.
Summary
In 2017 a new wing was created at Elsley Primary School to take them to a 4-form intake school. The plans included a new school library in the heart of the new building which would maximize the learning opportunities for staff, pupils and local community groups.
The challenge
Many pupils at Elsley Primary School have limited access to books at home and often English is not their first language. Headteacher Mr Moss and Ms Sayed saw the new library as an opportunity to develop pupils’ speaking and listening skills which they hoped could then improve their reading abilities.
How BookSpace helped
BookSpace listened to the requirements of the school and it was evident the they had a clear focus & knew what they wanted from the new library space.
This included an amphitheatre to encourage speaking and listening but they were also keen to create a space which brought the ‘outside inside’.
“Helen understood what I wanted right from our initial meeting” says Ms Sayed. “But she wasn’t afraid to question what we were asking for at times. Everything that BookSpace suggested was evidently reader focused and we’re so pleased we chose to go with a specialist library design company. We had a number of contractors who could have built a library for us but the results would not have been the same.
We have a unique school library here which we’re really proud of. It’s the focal point of the school and has learning opportunities for our pupils built into every corner. We’re even encouraging local community groups like our local Mother & Toddler group to use the space as they’re potentially our pupils of the future.”
“For any other school thinking of designing a new school library, I would say, start with what you want to achieve and from that your library design will grow. ”
Shabiha Sayed, Deputy Headteacher
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.
FREE, no obligation design service
Call 0121 246 2777
More Case Studies
North Denes Primary School, Norfolk
A brand-new school with a modern, child-friendly library designed to promote reading for pleasure at every opportunity.
Bonnygate Primary School, Essex
A new school library created for an expanding community where children don’t all have access to books.
Calthorpe Academy, Birmingham
Calthorpe Academy is one of the largest special educational needs schools in Birmingham.
Fircroft Primary School, London
The school is situated in a diverse area of London and caters for many different reading habits.
Farndon Fields Primary School
A PTA /SSIF funded library installed to provide a much-needed resource for a school that is doubling in size.
Family Reading Space, Birmingham
A family room, situated on the ground floor for easy access, is designed to encourage quiet time for four young children.
St Patrick’s CofE Primary School, Solihull
Using free-standing furniture from BookSpace to create two new libraries.
Norwich High School for Girls
A forest and castle themed library designed to enrich pupils’ educational experience
Kingsley School
Turning one Head Teacher’s dreams for a treehouse in the library into reality
Woodfield School
“The customer care was brilliant – equivalent to the John Lewis experience!”
Great Ouse Primary Academy
A purpose-built new school in Bedfordshire with an amazing Learning Street running from one end of the school to the other.
Pimlico Primary School
An exciting, vibrant jungle-themed library which has transformed how pupils engage with books.
Troedyrhiw Community Primary School
A school council project resulted in pupils driving the installation of a new library in their small Welsh village school.
St Mary’s Bryanston Square School
A colourful, creative library created using PTA & private equity funding
Teagues Bridge Primary School
A brand new woodland-themed library has got pupils at Teagues Bridge Primary School buzzing with excitement
Berkhamsted Prep School
A Prep and a Pre-prep Library. Both designed to get pupils curious about books.
Norwood Primary School
We’ve just designed and installed a magical woodland library for pupils at Norwood Primary School and they love it
Waterside Primary School
It’s one thing to have a vision and a dream. It’s another to have it turned into reality
Aston Community Education Trust
An integrated approach offering best value across three primary schools
Barrowby CofE Primary School
A library designed to focus on reading for pleasure, driven by guidelines laid down in the new National Curriculum.
Birmingham Children’s Libraries
Issue rates have increased by 19% with the installation of 5 brand new children’s libraries
Trumpington Meadows Primary
Literacy, Numeracy, Science & History ‘Curiosity Shops’, where children extend their learning, follow their instincts and above all explore
Oliver Goldsmith Primary School
16 classroom reading corners throughout the nursery and school
Kensington Community Primary School
Creating a reading space to bring the whole school together
Eagle House Independent School
A new library designed to become integral to the way pupils learn
