Community Book Pledge receives funding to boost Holmer Primary School library
Leominster-based independent Usborne Partner Rosie’s Book Store, has partnered with Bloor Homes to provide 163 books to Holmer Church of England Primary Academy in Holmer, Herefordshire.
The move is part of a national Community Book Pledge from educational book provider, Usborne. Partner stores, like Rosie’s Book Store, align themselves with a local school or organisation supporting young people.
The aim is to increase vital reading resources and forge new connections with the local community, without the school having to do any of the legwork.
Rosie Mackay, owner of Rosie’s Book Store, said: “I’m delighted that Holmer C of E Primary Academy has decided to take us up on the offer of support to help enhance its library with a super range of enjoyable and educational Usborne books. We all know school budgets are precious and often over-stretched, so by signing up to the Community Book Pledge, the Academy has given us the green light to contact businesses such as Bloor Homes on its behalf.
“Thanks to a generous donation from Bloor Homes, we are able to provide excellent resources to the school and what’s more, Usborne will match it with 60% more books, free of charge as part of its free books for school initiative, which is open to every school in the country.”
Steve Roberts, Managing Director at Bloor Homes’ Western region, said: “When we were approached by Rosie to be part of this great initiative for Holmer C of E Primary Academy, we didn’t hesitate. Usborne’s books are really excellent and the Community Book Pledge is a fantastic way of involving businesses like ours to give schools and their students a whole new range of inspiring learning resources that will be available for students for years to come.”
Usborne is an independent, family-owned company which has been supporting children, including primary aged school children, for more than 50 years. Its books are designed to stimulate and captivate children whilst covering a wide range of fact books, novels, and educational materials.
The company’s Community Book Pledge helps schools and nurseries across the UK and Europe benefit from more books, boosting literacy levels through encouraging reading for pleasure. With the help of local businesses, thousands of schools across the UK and Europe have been able to fill their libraries and classroom bookshelves and raise a new generation of confident and engaged readers.
Katie Thomas - Assistant Headteacher at Holmer C of E School, said “The books we have received from Usborne and Bloor Homes as a result of our partnership with Rosie’s Book Store are truly incredible. They're bursting with colour, full of beautiful illustrations and packed with facts to help all of our pupils learn, covering all aspects of the curriculum. We are extremely grateful for the generosity shown from Bloor Homes and Usborne and we know that the books will help fuel the imaginations of all of our pupils for many years to come.”