New space: the rose garden-themed library aims to make reading in the library something Heathfield’s pupils will really enjoy
A charity dedicated to promoting children’s literacy by redistributing used books and creating inspiring reading spaces in primary schools has opened a library at Heathfield Academy in South Croydon.
Booking space: some Heathfield pupils are already immersing themselves in the library
The school, on Aberdeen Road, was built at a cost of £10million and opened less than 10 years ago – yet the children attending had no library, and few library books, to help inspire their young imaginations.
ABC Book Club will now provide pupils with greater access to books, as well as support literacy development in the hope of sparking a lifelong love of reading.
The library has a rose garden theme that the charity says “echoes the history of the school”. ABC Book Club has also organised a collection of quality pre-loved children’s books, cosy and comfortable reading corners and a wide selection of age-appropriate resources for pupils aged from five to 11.
“Working with the children and teachers at Heathfield to create their bespoke reading space has been a joy,” said Jo Chancler, from Bromley-based ABC Book Club.
“The rose garden theme was chosen by the children, and the mood board they gave me meant I was fully aware of the high expectations the children had of the space. I have carefully respected their wishes, and built the school a library for the children, one that they want.
“I know that if you build children somewhere exciting and inspiring to read they will enjoy their library visits much more. All to often we expect our children to magically enjoy reading rather than making it a fun, immersive experience in school.
“By getting the children involved in the design of their, library we made the build something that has been done for them, not to them. They have had creative input and seen their ideas come to life. We make the library the most interesting, inspiring and exciting room in the school, one that children rush to, not somewhere they go because they’ve been told to.”
Crucial access: Heathfield’s head, staff and some of the pupils who are already benefiting from having a dedicated library space
Since 2019, ABC Book Club has supported more than 300 schools and donated 350,000 books through these library projects.
ABC Book Club relies on book donations from the community and the support of local partners. It work has allowed thousands of children to explore new stories and strengthen their reading confidence by connecting them with books they might not otherwise be able to access.
Nathaniel Blanks, Heathfield’s head teacher, said, “With reading for pleasure levels dropping, it’s crucial that we offer children access to great books in a welcoming setting. We are absolutely delighted with our new reading space and the children can’t wait to start using it.”
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This all sounds good, and lucky for the school that a Bromley-based book charity was able to step in, because nothing would ever have happened if it had been left to Croydon’s failed mayor, Piss-Poor Perry, to provide a library, because all he has done to libraries in Croydon is close down quite a few of them !
The pertinent point in my mind is that a school without a library has been gathering excellent OFSTED reports without even having one. Tells you how relevant such confected reports are in the real world and are rather exercises in control rather than about the effectiveness of teaching and the school environment.