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Primary school near Ripon unveils new £10,000 library

Friday, 5 September 2025 10:39

MP Julian Smith cut the ribbon for Grewelthorpe Primary's new library.

Grewelthorpe CE Primary School has officially opened a new £10,000 library, marking the start of the new term.

The new library, featuring a fabulous ‘Treehouse of Tales,’ aims to spark a lifelong love of reading among pupils.

The opening event was attended by families, staff, and members of the local community, who enjoyed tea, cake and a tour of the school.

The £10,000 project was made possible thanks to fundraising by Friends of Grewelthorpe School (FROGS), the school’s parent-teacher association.

The ribbon-cutting was carried out by Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith.

He said:

“It is fantastic to be here at Grewelthorpe Primary to celebrate the opening of their new library.

"This welcoming and creative space is a place where children can discover the joy of reading which is one of the most important investments we can make in their future.

"Congratulations to everyone involved in making this project possible.”

Award-winning children’s author Hannah Russell, based in nearby Masham, also attended for a story-telling session with tales from her popular books.

Headteacher Katie Barker said:

“We are a small CofE school with a big heart. Our aim is to bring out the very best in every child, and to create a warm, welcoming environment where all pupils feel valued and inspired.

"From our fabulous nursery and early years provision right through to Year 6, we pride ourselves on offering a nurturing and enriching experience for every learner.

"The new reading space is already a huge hit with our students, and we hope it will encourage a lifelong love of books and storytelling.”

The launch follows a period of academic success for the school, which recently received a “Good” rating from both Ofsted and SIAMS, alongside strong KS2 results.

Listen to Your Harrogate's Pete Egerton speaking to MP for Ripon and Skipton, Sir Julian Smith, author Hannah Russell and a former Grewelthorpe Primary pupil, Gwen!

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