Midlands primary school that will be the deserving recipient of a brand new library (Image: PA)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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For a school so committed to reading, the library for the youngest learners at Longwood Primary in Tamworth, near Birmingham, is woefully inadequate. Sharing corridor space with the lockers where the children store their clothes for outdoor activities, it\u2019s an uninviting environment in which to discover the joy in reading.<\/p>\n
Crammed in a corner between the lockers is a small, bin-style bookcase on the floor \u2013 smaller than a supermarket trolley. Inside, are a handful of picture books. There are phonics posters on the walls above, but the bright red lockers dominate everything. There\u2019s no seating at all, making it hard to see how young children \u2013 many of whom live on the nearby council estate \u2013 could discover the pleasure of books here.<\/p>\n
Amazingly, it is not compulsory for a primary school to have a library \u2013 and many schools working in deprived areas lack the funds to create one, focused as they are on helping their children in other ways. A library is, however, mandatory in prisons.<\/p>\n
But now, thanks to the generosity of Daily Express readers and the far-sighted vision of the committed teaching staff at Longwood School, this is about to change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Following our Christmas campaign last year, in conjunction with reading charity Give A Book, Longwood \u2013 which is an area of high deprivation and where 45 per cent of children receive free school lunches \u2013 has been chosen as the recipient of a brand new, custom-built Key Stage One library.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be no wellies, soggy shoes and spare glue sticks stored in here but a proper reading space,\u201d says teacher Vanessa Ranch, the school\u2019s Reading Lead who has been the charity\u2019s contact at the school. And the children are already full of anticipation, especially as they had a say in the forthcoming library\u2019s design.<\/p>\n
With colourful \u2018toad-stool\u2019 style seating, reading nooks, tree-shaped shelving, and with the woodland theme continued into the bright green archway that demarcates the space as a reading area \u2013 \u201clike a portal into another world\u201d as Vanessa describes it \u2013 this is a reading space that will have the power to inspire generations of children when it is built later this month.<\/p>\n
The Daily Express will be providing a full update to show you how your donation has been spent and the difference it is making to the children.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel reading opens the door to all education,\u201d says headteacher Pauline James. \u201cSo I\u2019m speechless about this project. I just want to say thank you for this amazing opportunity for the children.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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READ MORE: <\/strong> Watch the full Debenhams Christmas advert featuring This Morning star <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
For a school so committed to reading, the library is is woefully inadequate (Image: PA)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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When her colleague Vanessa first told her that the school, rated Good by Ofsted, had been chosen to receive a new library, Pauline wondered how they would fund the books to fill it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a bit worrying as we have no books\u2019 budget. Then we found out that the provision of the library includes 1,200 books. I kept wondering what the catch was. We never seem to get anything, so I really couldn\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her deputy, Rachel Matthews, who is also the school\u2019s Special Needs coordinator adds: \u201cWe just want to give the children the best possible start. This project makes that possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
A school vote revealed that the children most wanted books about outer space, insects (known universally in primary school parlance as \u2018mini beasts\u2019) and crocodiles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cMost of them have never been to a zoo, so they want to know more,\u201d says Pauline, who has made reading central to the school\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I arrived here 14 years ago, the PTA kindly put all the money they raised into Christmas and each child received a selection box of chocolates on Christmas Eve. Now they each receive a book and they treasure them.\u201d<\/p>\n
On World Book Day \u2013 which the school celebrates over a full week \u2013 the school takes the children to WH Smith to use their free book coupon, to further support their parents who may lack the resources to do this. All costumes are also made at school for the same reason.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand the pressures at home, and we don\u2019t blame them,\u201d says Pauline. \u201cWe always have volunteers to hear the children read because that can be challenging when you have six children.\u201d<\/p>\n
After lunch, the children read before going outside to play. And Vanessa explains that the playground contains a \u2018reading shed\u2019 \u201cFor children who prefer to read at break, rather than rushing around\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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