I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors has given formal approval for the construction of a new library extension, a project that will transform our library facilities and create a state-of-the-art learning resource centre for the whole school community. The extension, designed by local architects Hargreaves & Lyle, will double the floor space of our existing library and provide dedicated areas for quiet study, group work, digital research, and reading for pleasure. Construction is expected to begin in the summer holidays and be completed by Easter 2027.
The current library, housed in the original 1926 building, has served the school wonderfully for many decades, but our growing pupil numbers and the evolving demands of modern education mean that we have long outgrown the space. The new extension will be built as a sympathetic addition to the existing structure, using matching brick and traditional detailing to complement the character of the original building while incorporating modern environmental features including solar panels, natural ventilation, and high levels of insulation.
The new facility will house an expanded book collection of over 12,000 volumes, a suite of fifteen research computers, a dedicated sixth-form study area, and a flexible seminar room that can be used for author visits, reading groups, and workshops. There will also be a welcoming ground-floor reading area for our youngest pupils, complete with comfortable seating, story-time spaces, and age-appropriate displays. Our Librarian, Ms Cole, has been closely involved in the design process to ensure the space meets the needs of pupils and staff across the school.
The project is being funded through a combination of school reserves, a generous legacy gift from the estate of former governor Mr Arthur Pendleton, and a fundraising campaign led by the Parents' Association. We are enormously grateful to everyone who has contributed to making this vision a reality. The library is the beating heart of any great school, and this extension will ensure that Brindleford's library continues to inspire a love of reading, support academic excellence, and serve as a welcoming space for learning and discovery for generations to come.