or call 020 7404 3400
or call 020 7404 3400
Last year, William Murdoch Primary School entered our Inspiring Libraries Competition. They completed a short entry form to be added to the random prize draw, and were one of many entries from eager schools who were keen to win a library worth £20,000.
The Inspiring Libraries Competition winners had a clear vision for their school library.
We worked closely with the school to fulfil the project and ensure we exceeded their expectations. The end result is a visually stunning, inspiring and calm school library that all pupils want to visit.
At Promote Your School, we know that reading lays the foundation for lifelong learning. So, we support many initiatives to encourage reading for pleasure in children of all ages. This includes the BBC’s 500 Words Competition, BookTrust’s Pyjamarama and The Summer Reading Challenge.
According to BookTrust, children who read for pleasure are happier and healthier. They also achieve better learning outcomes.
But, it can be a challenge to encourage pupils to read. One of the first steps to developing lifelong readers is to create the right environment for reading.
A positive, welcoming and visually enticing school library is a great place to start. And, this is why we offer the Inspiring Libraries Competition to schools. So everyone has a chance to benefit from an inviting and engaging library.
In fact, the impact of a school library cannot be overstated! Booktrust explains;
“A school library is so much more than an educational space. Good school libraries generate an excitement around literature and facilitate a lifelong love of reading.
Reading enjoyment is important; OECD research shows that it is the single most important indicator of a child’s future success.
Ofsted has also recognised the vital role that reading for pleasure plays in improving literacy levels. Investing in libraries is investing in children’s futures.”
(Source: BookTrust life changing libraries report).
William Murdoch Primary School is based in Birmingham, West Midlands. Their motto is ‘Scientia Mentem Luminat’, which translates to ‘Knowledge Lights up the Mind’. Children enjoy a broad academic curriculum that is complemented by an extensive extra-curricular programme.
The school’s library is named after local hero, Benjamin Zephaniah. He was a British writer, dub poet, actor, musician and professor of poetry and creative writing. Over his lifetime, he was awarded 20 honorary doctorates in recognition of his contributions to literature, education and the arts.
The school wanted their library to be a fitting tribute to a man who made a huge impact on literacy and the arts.
Using a local role model in the design is aspirational for pupils. And, in Benjamin Zephaniah’s case, he is even more inspiring as he was dyslexic and overcame this hurdle to become a revered British writer and poet.
Pupils can see that it’s possible to work through adversity and achieve greatness. They’re also able to witness the power of literacy and how it can impact the world!
We featured a photo of Benjamin Zephaniah and multiple quotes across the design. Alongside him, we celebrated other local heroes too. We called this area ‘Brummies who inspire’. It features a mix of Birmingham born people from various backgrounds, fields of interest and achievements.
From J.R.R. Tolkien and Lenny Henry, to Neville Chamberlain and Malala, it’s a veritable who’s who of heroes!
We wanted to showcase a diverse range of inspirational people, so pupils could see role models they could relate to. This is always important in any designs we create for schools. Pupils need to see relatable people who might share the same background, ethnicity, ability or even adversity as they do. So they’ll feel inspired by their success and aim to follow in their footsteps.
Many of Benjamin Zephaniah’s literary works draw on nature as their inspiration. ‘Nature Trail‘, ‘We Sang Across the Sea‘ and ‘Leave the Trees Please‘ are just a few examples of this.
We too used nature as a backdrop for the library design. Mind Charity states that spending time in nature improves mental health. So there’s a wellbeing benefit to the nature theme too. Pupils will feel as though they’re entering a peaceful woodland when they arrive. This will instantly put them at ease and create a calm atmosphere that’s perfect for reading and regulation.
The library serves as a calm space – a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the wider school environment. There are also lots of little creatures and objects hidden in the designs. So, the closer pupils look, the more they’ll discover. In this way, the library sparks curiosity and conversation between peers.
This is a powerful way to expand critical thinking and build vocabulary as pupils discuss what they can see and the books they are reading.
It’s not just the walls of the library that received a makeover! We also featured some classic books on the doors. This creates a fully immersive effect and ensures continuity of the design around the space.
The work of Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien brings a set of doors to life on one side of the library. On another side, a collection of Benjamin Zephaniah’s books transform doors and ensure the design flows seamlessly.
There are so many hidden reading nooks and little gems in the design; poems, quotes and images create magic, awe and wonder.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the transformation of our school library. The Wall Art has turned the space into something truly magical.
Our children often say they feel transported into a different world as soon as they step inside. There’s a real buzz of excitement around the library, and everyone looks forward to their turn each week.
The design team were outstanding, creative, professional, and genuinely collaborative. They listened carefully to our ideas and worked with us every step of the way to bring this vision to life.
The result is a vibrant, inspiring environment that encourages imagination, curiosity, and a love of reading.”
Our Inspiring Libraries Competition supports literacy by offering schools the chance to win a gold standard library. This year’s competition is now open for entries!
You can find out more about the competition, and how to enter, here.
Inspiring Libraries Competition is a random prize draw open to all UK schools. All you need to do is complete the short entry form and we’ll add you into the prize draw pot!
The competition runs until the start of next year. After that, we’ll pick a school at random from all the entries. That school will win a fully kitted out library.
The prize includes;
We’ll visit your school to understand your goals, explain our process and provide you with a no-obligation quote.
