Children’s author Lynne Wilson-Bailey opens new reading room at Brooke Hill Academy, in Oakham

Bookworms at a town school have a new space for stories after a children’s author opened a new reading shed last week.

Lynne Wilson-Bailey was invited along to Brooke Hill Academy, in Oakham, on Thursday to cut the ribbon at the new reading space in the school playground.

She led author workshops for Year 5 and 6 pupils during the day and also donated a selection of her books to help stock the shed.

It was put together by a team of staff, parents and pupils.

Brooke Hill’s premises officer, Mr Smith, used recycled materials, including doors and windows, while pupil literacy ambassadors Callie, Codie, Rowena and Kelsey helped organise the space.

The shed will allow pupils at Brooke Hill Academy to get lost in a book during lunchtimes, and for reading events held by teachers and the school’s literacy ambassadors.

The shed has already been well used, with Key Stage 2 pupils leading storytime sessions for younger pupils, for quiet reading sessions and a weekly Key Stage 1 book club.

“We look forward to more exciting reading events throughout the rest of the year and seeing the pupils enjoy books in their lovely, new space,” said literacy co-ordinator Alys Taylor.