New chapter at Welwyn Garden City school as mayor opens library

A Welwyn Garden City primary school has launched its new and improved school library.

Welwyn Hatfield Mayor Lynne Sparks opened Peartree Primary School’s new library on Wednesday, March 30, along with a selection of children from the school.

Renovations to the library have been ongoing over several months with the help of the Peartree community. Local charity Recover transformed an old teacher’s desk and wooden chairs, creating new, brightly-coloured furniture to make the library more exciting.

Volunteers from the Peartree branch of Christchurch Baptist worked alongside school staff to organise and catalogue all of the books. As part of a long-standing initiative, Christchurch volunteers also mentor children at the school in one-on-one reading sessions.

The library was opened as part of the school’s ‘Read to Succeed’ week, designed to instil a love of reading. The week included storytelling, poetry recitals and visits from children’s authors.

Peartree reading coordinator, Laura McKeen, who organised the activities and the library launch, said: “We are so pleased with our new library which is now a beautiful space for children to share a book.”

The school was recently praised for encouraging reading in an Ofsted report. The report stated: “Reading in general and phonics in particular (the link between letters and the sounds they make) are taught well.

“Staff reinforce the use of phonics in other subjects. All staff teach and then practise the same method with pupils, which enhances their understanding.

“Other reading skills, such as inference, are also taught effectively.”