or call 020 7404 3400
or call 020 7404 3400
William Murdoch Primary School hosted a fantastic event to unveil their stunning new school library. Named after Benjamin Zephaniah, this is no ordinary library! Instead, it’s a magical, visual wonderland bursting with colour and interest – and a destination for pupils to enjoy every day of the year.
The school won our Inspiring Libraries Competition this year. Their prize included literacy Wall Art, books and furniture to create an awe-inspiring space for reading. And, as a key partner, we were delighted to be invited to the official launch.
Promote Your School’s Director, Lisa Savage, shared her thoughts;
“I felt very privileged to share in such a meaningful event. It brought home exactly why we run our Inspiring Libraries Competition every year. We loved bringing the designs to life on the walls, after working closely with the school to fully understand their vision and objectives.
Reading contributes to every aspect of learning and we know that pupils who read for pleasure are happier and achieve better learning outcomes.
So it’s wonderful to see the library come to life and know that we played a part in making that happen.
There was a strong sense of pride, community and shared purpose throughout the event.”
Headteacher Mr Mangle Singh kicked off the launch with a warm welcome. He addressed a wide audience, which featured some very special attendees.
This included the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE. His deep connection to the city spans over 50 years, having arrived as a child from the small village of Boha, Chakswari in Mirpur Azad Kashmir. Since then, Birmingham has influenced and shaped his life, being the place where he built his career and raised his family.
Benjamin Zephaniah’s sisters also attended, along with a close family friend. As a writer, poet and activist, Birmingham born Zephaniah remains an aspirational hero for pupils, teachers and parents at the school.
Kash “The Flash” Gill was present too. He received an unexpected surprise when he noticed his face on the walls! We included the British Kickboxer and four time world champion in the ‘Brummies who inspire’ section of the design.
Mr Singh spoke about how important a library is. He explained that it serves as a safe space for children to explore, reflect and grow. And, he emphasised that reading for pleasure builds empathy, supports wellbeing and gives children lifelong skills.
It was clear he felt a great sense of pride that the school is providing this opportunity to develop eager readers.
Roberto Panichi is Teaching Team Lead at William Murdoch Primary School. He made a speech at the event that focused on the experience of winning Promote Your School’s Inspiring Libraries Competition.
From entering the random prize draw to actually winning a fully kitted out library, he talked about the impact of this journey. Specifically, he focused on how it felt to see the school’s vision become a reality. He then reflected on how the library has already brought joy to pupils.
Roberto explained that the school wanted to offer a peaceful space where pupils can read, escape for a while and build confidence through stories.
It was inspiring to hear, first-hand, how the library has already made a big impact!
Attendees at the library launch were treated to a thoughtful and moving programme of spoken-word poetry by pupils. This was delivered with energy and sincerity.
Two pupils at the school have been finalists over consecutive years in the Poetry by Heart competition. Poetry by Heart is a national poetry speaking competition for schools and colleges, open to all pupils in key stages 2 to 5. All the children performed beautifully – their talent made it clear how much the school nurtures creative expression.
We also enjoyed a performance by the choir, who gave a lovely performance of ‘Unwritten‘. The song covered multiple themes – about possibility, owning your story and stepping into the future. And these felt especially fitting in the new library, which is named after such a bold and courageous creative character.
During the ribbon-cutting, the Lord Mayor was joined by Benjamin Zephaniah’s sisters. Each spoke with warmth and affection about their brother and what this library represents. Their comments deeply honoured Benjamin’s legacy.
They also celebrated his creativity, identity and his role as a community figure.
Even after his death, Benjamin’s legacy lives on and he continues to inspire young people across all creative pursuits, including literature, music and art. The library feels like a fitting tribute to such a profilic and influential British hero.
When you walk into the Benjamin Zephaniah Library, the space feels intentional, aspirational and calming.
“When the doors opened, we stepped inside. Even though we’d seen the design plans, photos and videos, the reality of the space was exciting and powerful!” – Lisa Savage, Director at Promote Your School.
At the library launch, we observed several pupils as they explored the space. They chatted quietly and were visibly relaxed in the environment. A few of these pupils shared their thoughts with us;
“It feels like a magical forest!”
“I want to read every day now”
“This is my favourite place in the whole school”
Their reactions reminded us that a well designed space can encourage reading, reflection and creativity.
We spent time speaking with Kash “The Flash” Gill, who features in the design among other local role models. Kash told us about his outreach work – he coaches young people and uses sport to build confidence, inspire and support them.
Kash was presented with a silver plate to acknowledge his contributions to the school and wider Birmingham community. His story reinforces to pupils that they can achieve success regardless of their backgrounds. And that giving back matters!
The ‘Brummies who inspire’ section of the design features local figures from a range of fields. This includes literature, sport, television and the arts. It’s powerful to offer local role models to pupils that they can relate to and admire.
After the event, we reflected on our partnership with William Murdoch Primary School. Through entering our Inspiring Libraries Competition, the school has now created a life-changing space for reading, reflection and aspiration. We’re very proud that we could support the school and help bring their vision to life.
It was an honour to attend the library launch alongisde so many esteemed guests. This library is more than a collection of books. It’s a place that nurtures curiosity, builds confidence and opens up new possibilities for all pupils.
We look forward to seeing how pupils make the space their own. And how they discover new stories in the footsteps of the late Benjamin Zephaniah – a true literary hero whose legacy will continue to inspire.
Our Inspiring Libraries Competition is now open for entries!
It’s free and easy to enter.
Simply complete the short entry form and submit. You’ll be entered into the random prize draw to win a fully kitted out library worth £20,000. The prize includes literacy Wall Art, books and furniture. Ts&Cs are below.
Terms and Conditions
We’ll visit your school to understand your goals, explain our process and provide you with a no-obligation quote.
