A primary school in Headington has opened a new library space to inspire children to read for pleasure.

The reading space at Bayards Hill Primary School was opened by local illustrator, Ian Smith on March 3.

Mr Smith from the Cotswolds hosted a reading and drawing session for the pupils which included a first look preview of his new coronation picture book The King’s Runaway Crown publishing next month.

Children from the school dressed as their favourite book characters to mark the library’s opening.

The ribbon cutting of the new facility coincided with celebrations of World Book Day 2023.

Oxford Mail:

They were joined by assistant headteacher Paul Waite and representatives from Oxford University Press (OUP) and the National Literacy Trust.

Mr Waite said: “We are very, very excited about our newly stocked and refurbished Bayards Hill Library, emphasising our commitment to the importance of reading in our school.

“We strive to develop a passion for reading in all our pupils, opening up a world of adventures, and complementing our very strong, broad and balanced curriculum and best practice personal development offering.”

The library has been opened as part of the ‘Oxfordshire Raise a Reader Programme’ launched by OUP to help provide children with the tools they need to become lifelong readers.

The reading space is stocked with 500 books, as well as a range of soft furnishings and books storage.

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Caroline Derby, head of early literacy and phonics at OUP, commented: “At Oxford Children’s we know what a huge difference reading and literacy in early years can have later in life, which is why we are so proud to continue our mission to help raise readers.

Oxford Mail:

“When we launched the campaign, we pledged to make a tangible impact where it was needed most in our local community, and we are delighted to see the first ten reading spaces set up in Oxfordshire schools on Friday.

“It is our hope that these spaces will provide a safe and pleasurable environment for children to engage with books and sow the seeds of a love of reading for life.”

Bayards Hill Primary School is one of ten schools that are opening a new reading space this term as part of the Raise a Reader campaign.

The initiative targets schools in disadvantaged areas across the county.

The school will continue to receive support from OUP in developing whole school reading strategies and a digital reading service of nearly 500 books.