West Pinchbeck primary school is transforming a bus into a library

A village school is seeking help to transform a bus into an incredible library space which will benefit the wider community.

Headteacher Sophie Ingle and the team at St Bartholomew’s Primary School, in West Pinchbeck, have already completed the first phase of the project and bought an old, decommissioned youth outreach bus, which they plan to turn into a Library of Hopes.

Miss Ingle said the next stage of the scheme involves raising money to add an electric mains hook up, a patio area, shelving, painting and decorating inside the bus, flooring, dropping the curb and adding books.

“Our mission is to create a stunning library at the heart of our school that not only inspires our children but will reach out into the wider community and support early readers, adults wishing to improve their reading, people hoping to learn English, book lovers who want to just meet and share their love of reading and many more,” said Miss Ingle.

“We would like to build an incredible library that caters for all, enhances learning and motivates reading in our community.”

Permission to have a bus situated on the school site, in Leaveslake Drove, was granted back in March by the Department for Education, Land Transaction Team and the school has been raising money to buy one since then.

It recently took ownership of an old, decommissioned youth outreach bus, which Miss Ingle says needs some work, love and care to create their vision, which will be a fantastic facility for everyone to use and enjoy once complete.

She says a new library will benefit children on several levels - socially, emotionally and educationally.

“Our aim is to instil a love of reading for life. We want to help our children recognise the importance of reading and the many doors it will open for them,” said Miss Ingle.

“We’re a small, rural village and we need to teach our children about the wider world, stretch their imaginations and dare them to dream. Creating a library in the centre of our learning environment will achieve all of these crucial elements of life and education.”

The community will benefit too – particularly families with children under the age of four – as school staff are keen to hold sessions for parents and preschoolers to share stories.

Miss Ingle said there is also the possibility of monthly book clubs, live author readings and family reading sessions too.

AS well as fundraising the school is also seeking volunteers and tradespeople including carpenters, electricians, painters and decorators and general helpers to make the project a reality.

* Anyone who would like to volunteer to help the school transform its bus into a community library should call 01775 640357.