Pupils at Leiston Primary School are enjoying a brand-new library building following significant investment from Sizewell C.
The new facility provides a dedicated space for reading and learning, complete with books, resources, and ongoing support to help it become a thriving hub for pupils and their families.
Part of East Anglian Schools Trust (EAST), Leiston Primary School has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting both the area’s expanding population and increasing confidence in the school’s improvement journey. To meet rising demand, the school expanded classroom capacity, requiring existing spaces to be repurposed and resulting in the loss of its former library.
Determined to ensure pupils continued to benefit from a dedicated reading space, school leaders secured funding from Sizewell C to bring their vision for a new library to life.
Helen Murray, Director of Primary Education at EAST, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sizewell C for their generosity and commitment to supporting children and families in our local community.
“The new library represents far more than a building; it is an investment in our children’s futures and another important step in the school’s improvement journey. Reading opens doors, sparks imagination and underpins success across the curriculum. This wonderful space will provide opportunities for children and families to read together, develop a love of books and build lifelong literacy skills. I am incredibly proud of what the team at Leiston is achieving and excited about what comes next.”
The new building was officially opened at a ribbon-cutting event, which followed workshops and a visit from local comedian and children’s author, James Campbell.
Designed as a welcoming and inspiring environment, the library, which also includes a kitchen and baby changing facilities, will give pupils greater access to books, encourage a lifelong love of reading, and provide opportunities for families to share stories and learn together.
Amy Plummer, Chair of the Local Governing Body at Leiston Primary School and parent of two pupils at the school, said: “The children have been so excited about this space opening and being able to come and borrow books. The excitement from my own children, as well as friends’ children, has been wonderful to see. It’s great that they finally have a space where they can come and enjoy books.
“That love of reading is so important for children in so many ways, and they now have the perfect space to do that in the safety of their school.”
The library forms part of a wider drive by the school’s leadership team and EAST to improve literacy, raise aspirations, and strengthen family engagement in reading, helping to create the best possible outcomes for children in Leiston.
Through initiatives including the Leiston Education Partnership and the National Literacy Trust, supported by Sizewell C community funding, the school is helping to create a joined-up approach to literacy that supports children from their early years and throughout their education.
Jack Raven, Senior Regional Sustainability Project Manager at Sizewell C, said: “Leiston Primary School is right on our doorstep, and many of the children who will use this library today could be part of Suffolk’s future workforce. As we build Sizewell C, we’re committed to creating opportunities for local people, and that starts with giving young people the best possible foundations through education and literacy.
“It’s fantastic to see this new space already bringing together not just pupils, but families and the wider community. From reading groups to activities for young children, the library is becoming a valued community resource. We’re proud to have supported a project that will help inspire a love of reading, strengthen community connections and create opportunities for local families for years to come.”
