There was a celebration at East Sheen Primary School this week as the community opened two renovated library spaces. To mark the National Year of Reading (2026), the school worked with its Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the English Hub and local library partners to completely redesign two library spaces. The project relied on impressive community fundraising, which included a sponsored cycle to Amsterdam, and pupil events throughout the summer.

The spaces put high-quality children’s literature at the centre of everything. They have been designed as calm, flowing, multilayered rooms, where children are drawn into worlds of imagination, adventures and extraordinary characters. Pupils have already begun enjoying the spaces, and the Junior Librarian pupils were full of pride and enthusiasm as they welcomed MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney to open the rooms. The school, which consistently achieves well above national averages in reading and phonics,  has always championed reading for pleasure and recognises the enormous benefits that come from children developing a genuine love of reading. We wish all the pupils and families using the spaces well on their reading journeys.