New £15,000 library opens after fundraising drive

A new school library has been officially opened after parents raised nearly £15,000 to fund the project.

Created in a former IT classroom, the library at West Bretton Junior & Infant School, near Wakefield, has more than 500 books.

Thanking the families who contributed to the appeal, headteacher Ellen Firth said: "I am just so proud of our school community."

The opening comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged there would be a library in every primary school in England by 2029.

Previously, books at the school were crammed into a corridor.

Pupil Myla, 11, said: "It is really nice compared to what it used to be.

"Now it is this amazing library that we can come and pick books from."

Meanwhile, Xav, also 11 said: "I can read loads of books that I probably do not have at home."

According to the National Literacy Trust one in seven primary schools do not have a dedicated school library.

Firth said she was delighted to have the facility, adding: "I am incredibly passionate about reading, I think that is a gift we give to our children as a teacher, and as a parent."

The library was officially opened by Wakefield book illustrator Liz Kaye.

School discos, cake sales, raffles, and family fun days all contributed to the fundraising efforts.

Amy Caine, chair of the school's Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) said: "Sometimes in the run-up we are not sure if this effort is all worth it, but you see the smiles on their faces and how much they love the library and that makes it all worthwhile."

Maisie, 10, has read the first Harry Potter book and said she is "very excited" to be able to carry on with the series.

Sarah Kemp, who is also part of the PTA, said she hoped the library would provide a way for parents to bond with their children.

"You can sit down of an evening and read together," she said.

"The children love reading to us as parents and it works both ways.

"They also like for us to put our different voices on and and bring storybooks to life."

Seeing the library for the first time, 11-year-old pupil Eva, said: "It is really cool, I really like it."

"It is not just a plain old library, it is really decorative and there are a lot of comfy areas where you can just sit and read."

Alfred, six, whose favourite book is The Gruffalo's Child, said he thought it was a "special" space, adding: "All the books look very interesting."

Meanwhile, Esme, seven, said: "I am very excited because I like reading books."

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