Book-loving youngsters at a Derbyshire special school now have their own special place where they can curl up with a good story.
Previously, students at Stanton Vale Special School, located in Long Eaton, had their library situated in a corridor. However, the school seized an opportunity to transform an area into a fully accessible library, prioritising inclusivity for all students, including those with mobility challenges who use wheelchairs.
The library was officially opened on World Book Day by the senior leadership team dress as characters from Commotion on the Ocean by Giles Andreae, much to the delight of the pupils.
Headteacher Emma Kehoe explained that the pupils and staff are passionate about reading and hearing stories and that, previously, reading would be interrupted by others as they walked past.
She said: “The children really enjoy getting stuck into a book and we’ve had a huge push for reading and engaging with books and texts for enjoyment.
“Every child at Stanton Vale has the opportunity to immerse themselves in captivating literature and this has never been more important to us.
“We have children with complex learning difficulties, and this offers them access to the books in a library setting that they can access in a comfortable environment, some will come to the library in their own specialist seating. We have a range of stories and books depending on the needs of the children with many of our children accessing stories through their senses.
“There is something special about settling down with a book in a comfortable place.
“So many children will have absolutely the best time in there and for some of them engaging with books is their favourite thing to do.”
Stanton Vale – part of the Esteem Multi-Academy Trust – caters for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe and moderate learning difficulties between the ages of two and 19.
The headteacher added: “It is for all the children to use with access for wheelchairs and it’s absolutely amazing.”
It will also give older pupils the chance to gain work experience as they develop work-based skills within the library.
