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Conway Primary School

January 11th 2023

Getting children to enjoy reading can be a challenge at the best of times, but even more so when your class speaks English as a second language. At Conway Primary School in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, our library design and schools team joined forces to provide an inspiring new library space and the books to match.

The inner-city school has 413 students aged 3-11 on roll, 70% of whom are considered disadvantaged, and 90% of whom speak English as a second language. Headteacher Rebecca Eaton adds: “We have high mobility, and it is a regular occurrence that pupils join us in Years 5 or 6 with no English at all.”

After working with Rebecca for a successful library transformation at a previous school, we were thrilled to be picked again to help making reading for pleasure central to Conway Primary School. Set in a portakabin, the library needed to be warm and inviting for all ages, with different groups able to use the space simultaneously.

Rebecca explains: “We needed to create a space where pupils could learn to love reading. It’s a small space that wasn’t ideally suited to a library. We had our new library designed and then it had to be filled with diverse and beautiful books to inspire a love of reading within our children.”

OUR DESIGN SERVICE

Our designers created a spectacular nature-themed library space with colourful seating, bookshelves and cushions

First step: the library design

To make the area bright and fun, our library design team created a nature design that utilised the available space and light. Our designer, Jay, says: “For this space we really wanted to bring the outdoors inside and create a truly timeless design with a nature-inspired theme.

“We had a small, boxy space to work with. We used organic shapes and curves to create a natural flow and make little pockets that can be used as reading nooks for the children to create small reading groups. Mobile soft seating options – including the seasons bundle and grab & go cushions – are scattered throughout the library to encourage reading for pleasure, while the artificial tree and island seating create a focal point and enhance the nature theme.

“We made the most of the wall space to maximise the number of books that the school could house. The forest vinyl wallpaper was the finishing touch, creating a true immersion for the children when stepping into the library.”

Abrabookdabra! A tailored selection of diverse and inclusive books added the final touch of magic to the transformed library space

Second step: the books

Now that the shelves were up, it was time to fill them with books. Our expert schools team worked with the school to curate a selection that empowers children to read, including picture books and junior fiction.

Rebecca says: “Peters took the time to understand our brief and really get to know the needs of our pupils. They put together a wonderfully diverse and inclusive range of books so our pupils can see themselves reflected, read the classics, or enjoy a book in their home language.”