COVENTRY’S POET Laureate John Bernard visited his former school to unveil a brand new library to inspire pupils to follow their passion for reading and writing.
Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School’s library has recently undergone a major £70,000 transformation complete with new books and furniture.
The library now houses more than 4,000 books, with more still arriving. It marks a major investment from the academy to inspire young readers and broaden pupils’ horizons.
All year groups will be able to enjoy this new space for lessons, extra-curricular activities, focused reading tuition and lunchtime clubs.
This will ensure pupils will have regular opportunities to engage with books and develop their literacy skills in an inviting and well-resourced environment.
Mr Bernard said: “It was a real privilege to come back to Cardinal Wiseman, a place that played such an important role in my own journey.
“Seeing the enthusiasm of the pupils, not just for reading but also for poetry and storytelling, was incredibly inspiring
“The new library is a fantastic space that will encourage a love of literature and creativity for years to come.”
Mr Bernard, an acclaimed poet and spoken word artist, also spent time speaking with pupils about the power of words, storytelling and the importance of reading in unlocking opportunities for the future.
Romeo Catholic Academy’s vice principal Will Allen said: “It was a real privilege to welcome John back to the Cardinal Wiseman to official open our new library and speak to pupils about his journey, and how words, literature and learning can lead to so many brilliant opportunities.
“We want to ensure that engaging with reading is something pupils carry with them for life, not just as part of their education but as a source of enjoyment, curiosity, and lifelong learning for many years after they leave us.”
Molly Smith, the school’s librarian added: “The new space has already proved incredibly popular with pupils of all ages.
“We hope by supporting children with reading, it will have considerable benefit in other aspects of their lives, from boosting confidence to improving their overall academic performance and we are thrilled John was able to join us to mark the occasion.”
