Kingsfield Primary School in Chatteris is celebrating the opening of its newly refurbished library, highlighting a significant investment in its facilities and demonstrating the school’s commitment to improving literacy and fostering a love for reading among its pupils.

Over the summer, the reading team at the school invested a substantial sum of money to revitalise the library. The initiative has resulted in the addition of 1,800 new books, including 500 fluency books, 1,000 phonics books, and 300 high-quality titles across various genres.

To ensure the library reflects the interests of its young readers, school council members were actively involved in the process, sharing their recommendations for authors they would like to see more of on the shelves. 

In addition to the library upgrade, Kingsfield Primary School has introduced several new reading initiatives. Each class now participates in discreet fluency sessions, helping children learn to read with accuracy, pace, expression, and correct use of punctuation. 

The school, which is part of The Active Learning Trust, is also looking forward to launching reading cafés in the coming weeks which will create a relaxed and enjoyable environment for book discussions. Reading tokens will be introduced to encourage regular reading habits among pupils and the school plans to host visits from authors, which will inspire the pupils and enhance their reading experience

Lisa Corby, Executive Headteacher, said: "Our investment in the library reflects our commitment to placing reading at the heart of our curriculum. By providing our pupils with access to a wide range of high-quality books and implementing targeted reading programmes, we are helping them succeed in all areas of their education."

Lynsey Holzer, CEO of The Active Learning Trust, shared her pride in the initiative, saying, "I am thrilled to see Kingsfield Primary investing in its library and creating a welcoming space for pupils to discover the joy of reading. This project not only supports their learning but also helps them develop a lasting love for books."

With its newly refurbished library and innovative reading initiatives, Kingsfield Primary School is set to embark on an exciting chapter in its mission to cultivate a thriving reading culture among its pupils.