School days at Shawlands Primary, Glasgow, will get a lot more fun after the official opening of the new £5000 ‘Learning Lounge’ today.

Occupying a spare classroom, the new learning lounge, which has taken two years to create, has a library of some 1500 books, comfy sofas, beanbags and even a piano.

Opening the learning lounge will be the award-winning children’s writer and illustrator Ross Collins who attended the school in the 1970s, and Councillor Irfan Rabbani.

Collins said: “Libraries are great places to fire children’s imaginations and introduce them to the rich world of literature. I think the design of the new library, the fresh colours and the great light and natural wood will make it one of the pupils’ favourite places at the school.”

The opening ceremony will be the culmination of many months of work by parents, teachers, pupils and volunteers who have been busy raising the money and refurbishing the room.

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Lesley Turan, chair of the parent council said: “We were concerned that there was a no library in the school so two years ago the parent council, the school and the pupils themselves, decided to focus efforts on delivering a library, and creating a warm and welcoming and learning space for the children.

“With so many distractions we feel children need to learn to love books, to relax and to really enjoy them. And this will be just the place to achieve that.”

The cost of refurbishing the room was £5,150, raised by the parent council along with a grant from Pollokshields Area Committee. Old school bookshelves were restored and painted by volunteers to tie in with the stylish new furniture and décor in the room and professionals were called in for the final touches.

One striking feature is a series of inspirational sayings such as: “Every journey starts with one step” and “Every expert was once a beginner” which have been chosen by the pupil council in consultation with their classes and painted onto the walls in stylish lettering.

Head teacher, Elaine Hutton, said: “I am very proud of this as it has been a fantastic effort by everyone involved. I am quite sure that this unique space will enhance many aspects of learning here at the school for years to come.”

Nicola Easton, from P5 at Shawlands Primary said: “It will be fun. I am looking forward to relaxing in here with a book and with my friends. We are going to do choir practice in here sometime so that will not be like a normal library where you have to be quiet all the time.”

(GK)