A NEW CHAPTER of reading has opened up at Newton Abbot’s Decoy Primary School thanks to the school’s parent teacher association.

Last week saw the finishing touches put to the school’s new library, a project that has been 18 months in the making.

Towards the end of 2019, the school asked the association if it would consider fundraising for a new library to replace the small and dated room which opened on to the busy corridor.

It was a place where the children went to swap their books rather than a space to enjoy and to inspire a love of reading.

‘The PTA Committee thought it was a great idea and set about planning a busy schedule of events for the year ahead,’ said PTA chair Andrea Keefe.

‘We had the aim to have an exciting new space installed during the 2020 summer holidays.’

Hosting successful new events, such as a Christmas movie night and a sold out Christmas wreath evening, they were on track to hit their challenging target when the pandemic hit.

‘All our forthcoming events were cancelled, this included our biggest event of the year, the Summer Fete, Decoyfest,’ continued Andrea.

‘We were still left with a considerable amount left to raise, we knew we wouldn’t meet our original installation date, but we were adamant to still deliver the project.’

Not to be outdone by the circumstances the committee started to think outside the box and find news ways to fundraise within government restrictions, as well as being sensitive to financial hardships that some of the community were now facing.

With Decoy Park on their doorstep Andrea approached Teignbridge District Council to see if a Halloween Trail would be possible.

Said Andrea: ’After receiving the go ahead, we prepped and laid a trail for the wider community to attend and voluntarily donate.’

‘The event was a great success and so a similar stocking trail event at Christmas was organised for families to enjoy.’

Although behind on their target for the library, the initial designs were revised with PTA members’ craft skills used to manage the decoration elements, thus reducing the overall cost.

The school classes are named after birds and these are featured as illustrations, as well as lovely quotes that inspire and encourage both reading and kind behaviours to one another.

Over the Easter break, while the new library from Incube was being installed, the children took part in an Usborne sponsored read, raising over £1000 to buy new books to help fill the increased shelving. 

‘The is PTA delighted with the new library, it is such an inviting space and will encourage reading for the pupils for many years to come,’ said Andrea.

‘I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone to join or help their school’s PTA, you get to meet new people, have fun, utilise skills, and gain a huge sense of achievement.’?In total just under £12,000 was raised to pay for the amazing new library which is proving extremely popular.

The room is absolutely fantastic,’ agreed school head Heather Poustie.

‘It says a lot that both pupils and staff love being in it.’