Stock image of pupils
(Picture: PA Archive)A struggling London primary school has been transformed by a “life-changing library” designed by a best-selling author, a new report suggests.
Griffin Primary School in Battersea, which Ofsted rates as requiring improvement, took part in a pilot study looking at the impact a well-stocked library can have on schoolchildren.
As part of the study, which was the brainchild of Cressida Cowell, author of How To Train Your Dragon, an empty classroom was turned into a library stocked with 1000 books. Walls were decorated with art by Ms Cowell.
A new report into the project found that children’s love of reading, their motivation to learning, well-being and feelings of self-worth all improved after the library was introduced.
Cressida Cowell, who is also the Children’s Laureate, called for the government to ring-fence £100million for school libraries each year. She said every prison has a statutory library but one in eight primary schools has none.
She said: “The Government continues to declare their commitment to levelling up and closing the education gap. Supporting primary school libraries is a proven and cost-effective way to creating a fair and even playing field for all children.
“I will keep campaigning until every single child in this country has a life-changing library and a reading for pleasure culture in their school.”
The report found that at Griffin Primary school and five other pilot schools teachers reported increased attention, engagement and motivation to learn amongst students in the classroom after the libraries were opened.
They also reported a significant improvement in the wellbeing of both children and staff and said children also experienced a sense of pride, confidence and self worth.
The report said that before the library was introduced at Griffin Primary many pupils did not read for pleasure at home, own their own books, or visit the local library.
Carly Doyle, deputy head of Griffin Primary said: “It’s hard to put into words [the difference the library has made,] as it is huge. Reading is our priority. The library is the lynchpin for that. Teachers’ book choices are now exceptional. Teachers are reading. Their expertise has developed and children are exposed to higher quality language.”
An unexpected impact of the library was the positive effect on boy’s reading, the report said.
Previously teachers described getting some boys to read as like “pulling teeth” but they reported an improvement after the library opened and put it down to the increased selection of books available.
