BITHAM Brook Primary School in Westbury have just opened their brand-new library which is the final part of a two-year site development project.
Alongside the new library, the development of the school has included four new classrooms, a food technology room, a new sports pitch, a dance studio and a music room. This has provided the physical space needed to ensure that the school’s vision to ‘provide opportunities for every child to discover their unique talents’ can be delivered through a broad, balanced and aspirational curriculum.
The project was overseen by project manager, Andy Miles from Rigg Construction, who worked tirelessly with his team to bring the vision to life.
A spokesperson for the school says, “On entering the library, any young person’s eye is immediately caught by a stunning hand-painted mural, created by talented local artist, Jennie Quigley. Jennie worked with members of the pupils’ school council to find out the children’s favourite characters. Now, on the walls of the new library, hiding behind the Giant’s beanstalk, you will find many familiar characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Superworm, Ironman and many more.
One child commented that, ‘The library is amazing! I love seeing all the paintings of my favourite characters’.
“The Friends of Bitham Brook Primary School (FOBBS) kindly funded the project. The library provides a comfortable, relaxing space for children to enjoy reading. The library has been a team effort, but without the help of one of our teaching assistants, Tracy Swanson, the project would not have been possible. Tracy has labelled and organised all of our books and even covered beanbags and made cushions to provide comfortable seating for the children.
To mark the occasion, members of FOBBS, Jennie Quigley and Tracy Swanson officially opened our amazing new library, with the help of some of the children.
“The results have received a resounding thumbs up from the children. They have been thrilled and have marvelled at the range of opportunities the school will now be able to offer – ‘We’ll be able to do lots of the things they do at secondary school’ was one well-supported remark.”
The hand painted mural covers every wall of the library. Characters can be found ‘hiding’ behind bookshelves, behind doors and hanging from the beanstalk’s vines.
Headteacher, Gareth Simons said, “Equipping children with the education they need to have the best opportunities in the future will always be at the heart of what schools do, but now more than ever, providing children with a highly enjoyable school journey is critical to children’s sense of well-being and experience of childhood.”
Chair of governors, Carole Dean said, “This has been a difficult journey, but it truly has been worth it! The teamwork shown by the children, staff and project managers has led to a high-quality school site that’s fit for the future and will enable us to provide rich opportunities for the children.”
The opening ceremony for the school extension was also attended by Simon Watkins, the regional school improvement and excellence lead for West Wiltshire, who praised the determination and ambition shown by the governing body over the past three years as they pursued their vision of creating a flagship school. A spokesperson for the school said he had to give particular thanks to Sarah Dines, the school business manager and former chair of governors, whose drive and attention to detail has turned the dream into a reality.
He said, “Sarah lived and breathed the project for the best part of three years. She has pushed all involved to produce the very best for the children, and the school community can be very proud of what has been achieved; the superb results are evident for all to see.”
