St Michael's C of E Primary

This small primary school in Sydenham had an amazing space they wanted to turn into a whole school and community library - only thing they were missing was the funding to make it happen. Despite this, the school's enthusiastic leadership team were determined to find a way provide one for their pupils. After a call to ABC, several meetings and a visit from the team, St Michael's was chosen as the charity's pro-bono project for the school year 2023/4.

The potential library space was a gift to the ABC team! With high ceilings and beautifully shaped windows, we were sure we could make a library that would be loved for many years to come.

Jo presented the pupils with theme options at a whole school assembly and the children overwhelmingly decided that they wanted an 'Under the Sea' library.

The team got to work, and on a bright July morning the invited guests saw the library for the first time. It really had been a community effort. The Sydenham branch of Acorn estate agents collected donations of books for the library from local families, graphic designer Adam Jones and Xpress Signs came up trumps with the wall art, and Dave Blacker of Olivbells made a wonderful water themed entrance arch. The room was complete with cosy rugs, cushions and blankets and its very own ship for the children to relax and read books in.

Due to his work in secondary schools throughout SE London, Lord Harris was invited to cut the launch ribbon and he spoke compellingly of the importance of reading for pleasure and all primary schools having a library to increase reading levels and changing outcomes for pupils.

The school were delighted with the new library, and the team have plans to open it up as a sharing space for toddler groups and parent and child reading sessions which the ABC team couldn't be more delighted about!

Our thanks to everyone who made this project possible.

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