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School library helping to 'unify' local community

Listen to Gorse Hill Primary School pupils and staff on BBC Sounds

A school library has moved to a larger space to encourage more families through the door and strengthen community bonds.

Staff and school librarians at Gorse Hill Primary School in Swindon have designed and painted an old classroom and transformed it into a new library for pupils and their families.

The school serves a diverse community with 68% of pupils speaking a second language.

Headteacher Candida Hutchinson said the stories in the library "unify" the pupils and help them to find "commonality no matter where you were raised".

Candida Hutchinson, Headteacher at Gorse Hill Primary School smiling with bobbed brown hair and wearing black rectangular glasses
Headteacher Candida Hutchinson said stories help "unify" us

Mrs Hutchinson, who has been headteacher at the school since January, said the school hopes the children's families will be encouraged into the new space.

"It's being more outward facing as a school and sharing what we have to offer," she said.

"This is such a great school and we have so much to give."

She added: "Reading is the key to all learning. About 68% of our school population don't have English as their first language, [so] before they can learn, they're having to translate themselves.

"But what unifies everybody is stories, we love books. It's about finding that commonality from wherever you've been raised."

Pupils sat cross legged watching and listening to local author, Roy Awbrey, who's holding an A3 storyboard
To launch the library pupils were treated to a special workshop with local author, Roy Awbery

During the launch of the new library a number of pupils who spoke no English when they joined the school two-years ago, asked questions with excellent vocabulary.

"Myself and our English lead got almost a little bit emotional, they are inspiring," said Mrs Hutchinson.

"Teaching is a tricky job at times, leadership is a tricky job but we focus on the children and the inspiration they give us.

"We've got a real dedicated, determined team here to do the best for our children."

Local author, Roy Awbery, also attended the launch, during which he read his book 'The Scariest Dinosaur'.

He said he was "blown away" by the "incredible" space.

"The kids here are so inspired by the books, it's a great resource for them," he said.

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