A TEACHER has made an appeal for help to get her school’s library redeveloped.

Fairfields Primary School, in Council Road, is the oldest school in Basingstoke, built in 1887, but its age is causing some problems with the amount of space it has for a library.

The current library space borders the computer area and is split into two rooms meaning that there is not enough space to house the larger classes.

Michelle Rees, teacher at the school, said: “While we are in a lovely Victorian building, space has become a problem.

“The library and the computing space being as currently close together as they are means that we can’t have full classes of students all in the library reading at the same time.”

The school is looking to raise a total of £17,943 for the cost of the new shelving and furniture, as well as the addition of a study pod area.

Michelle added: “I’m an avid reader, and I want the pupils to have a space that they can read for pleasure, and get a greater range of books, available in more languages and genres.

“While it fits a full class of 30 younger students, the older students have no space, especially with the shelving units.”

The work will be split into four phases, starting with the removal of the ICT suite and redecoration, then procuring and installing KS1 then KS2 zone shelving and furniture, with the final phase being the mixed key stage shelving and the study pod area.

Michelle said: “It would be amazing to get the area, and reading means a lot, and it would show how important it is for them.

“We want to start in the summer holidays ideally, to minimise disruption to lessons, but we will need help.”

For more information, call Michelle on 01256 473 886 or email admin@fairfields.hants.sch.uk.