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Margaret Greenwood MP joined the Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Cressida Cowell, on a visit to Woodchurch C of E Primary School to see first-hand the school’s ‘Life changing Library’.
Woodchurch C of E is one of six primary schools in the country to have been selected to take part in the ‘Life changing Libraries’ initiative, with the support of Cressida and Book Trust.
With the support of the Children’s Laureate and Book Trust, the staff and pupils of Woodchurch C of E Primary School have transformed an unoccupied area of corridor into an enchanted reading space – filled with mushroom cushions, dragon wall art and hundreds of books.
Julie Davies, Deputy Head Teacher of Woodchurch C of E Primary School, said, “We have been blown away by the children’s response to the library. Since the library opened last June, we’ve had more and more children using their play time to sit down and not just read for themselves but read to each other. It has been such a fantastic opportunity for the school and the wider community. Every school should have one.”
Currently, one in eight primary schools has no library space for their pupils to utilise.
The purpose of the ‘Life changing Libraries’ initiative is to develop a culture of reading for pleasure in primary schools.
Margaret Greenwood MP, herself a former English teacher, said, “I am delighted that Woodchurch C of E Primary School was selected to take part in this exciting and important initiative.
“Encouraging children to enjoy books and read at an early age is incredibly important, whether that be picture books, story books, graphic novels or non-fiction books.
“The atmosphere at Woodchurch C of E Primary School’s new library is quite magical and it is wonderful to see the children getting so much out of it.
“I congratulate all the staff at the school who are doing such a fantastic job encouraging children to enjoy reading, and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell for her inspirational work on this initiative.
“I am sure the new library at Woodchurch C of E Primary School will provide hours of pleasure to the children, improve their reading skills and give them a love of books that they will take with them through life.”
Image: (L-R) Margaret Greenwood MP, Cressida Cowell, Catherine Millar, and pupils of Woodchurch C of E Primary School
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