School unveils refurbished library to make reading fun

KIDMORE End Primary School has refurbished its library and held a Roald Dahl-themed celebration.

Pupils and teachers wore bright colours as a tribute to the children’s author, whose favourite colour was orange, to celebrate the grand opening on October 25.

The library includes a new computer system and has been redesigned to make better use of the space.

Headteacher Claire Spankie said that she hoped the library would be used more. She said: “We’ve moved the furniture around and made it so a whole class can fit in at a time. We have introduced a new computer system so that books can be checked in and out. Pupils in Year 5 are going to be trained to be librarians and will be in charge of the displays.

“Over the last few years, it hasn’t been used as much. Now it’s going to be used weekly and there will be other library sessions that our librarians are going to start running.” The Kidmore End School Association funded the computer system software and further fundraising is happening to update the non-fiction books in the library.

The school also sold 300 chocolate “Wonka” bars to the children. Twenty-seven of these contained golden tickets for prizes donated by businesses and groups.

Gifts were donated by Fourbears in Caversham, Henley Literary Festival, the Bell Bookshop and Kenton Theatre and others. Other prizes included school vouchers for “no uniform for a day” and extra five minutes of break time.

The school council has also launched a competition where children submit photos of themselves reading in “weird and wonderful places”.

Miss Spankie said: “We had some pictures of children on horseback and hanging upside down from goal posts. We’ll be doing a display to show you can read anywhere.”