Therfield pupils celebrate books with reading shed

The reading shed has been set up in a designated area of the school playground with artificial grass and colourful cushions to provide children with opportunities to read during outdoor breaktimes and lunchtimes.

Therfield First School's new reading shed (Image: Therfield First School)

Baskets in the shed contain picture books, non-fiction books, chapter books, Mr Men books with matching teddies, magazines, newspapers, hand puppets and finger puppets.

Headteacher Tara McGovern said: "There is no better sight than seeing children curled up on their own or in small groups, delving into the great world of fiction, sharing interesting new facts or making up their own stories using the puppets.

Children enjoying the reading shed (Image: Therfield First School)

"During playtimes, some children want to play on the climbing equipment, some want to play football, others want to create dances, but there are a core group of children who just want sit quietly and read.

"I strongly believe that all children should have the freedom of choice to spend their free time in ways that make them happy and enrich their minds and souls."

Pupils playing with puppets in the reading shed (Image: Therfield First School)

Before the reading shed was officially launched, Tara took the school's three Year 4 librarians down to Royston's independent bookshop Bow Books to choose the final four books for the shed.

They chose a range of picture books, chapter books, and - by popular demand - joke books, and were excited to come back and share their purchases with the rest of the school.

The reading shed is full of books and puppets for the children to enjoy (Image: Therfield First School)

Henry, age six, commented: "My favourite parts of the Reading Shed are the Julia Donaldson and Mr Men books."

Seven-year-old Marlon added "reading gives me a chance to go to another world!" and Rose, also seven, said: "I love being able to choose a different book each time."

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The reading shed was made possible thanks to a grant from Cllr Steve Jarvis and the EduFund UK charity.

Joke books, picture books and chapter books are all available (Image: Therfield First School)

Tara said: "I am absolutely delighted with our newest venture. I have wanted to create this area for some time.

"Unfortunately school finances are so tight that it would not have been possible to achieve without gaining external funding."

The reading shed gives pupils a chance to read during break and lunchtimes (Image: Therfield First School)