New reading garden at Swaffham school aims to raise literacy levels

Avant Homes recently built a garden reading area for the children at Swaffham Infant and Nursery School. Picture: Mark Bullimore (Image: Mark Bullimore Photography 2018)

The reading garden at Swaffham Infant and Nursery School has been helped by Avant Homes and aims to encourage children to take up more reading while providing a peaceful and enjoyable learning environment.

A team from Avant Homes' nearby Redlands Park development provided materials and labour to construct the roofed pergola and floor decking.

Cara Butters, higher level teaching assistant at Swaffham Infant and Nursery School, said: 'We are extremely grateful to Avant Homes for helping with the reading garden. The pergola looks amazing and everyone worked so hard to get the job done.

'The children have been accessing it daily, sitting on giant cushions and reading books together and individually. The reading area is truly going to make a difference in their literacy learning.'

The school recently held an opening ceremony to celebrate the reading area and to thank those who helped with the project.

Staff and children at the school were joined by Avant Homes representatives who cut a ribbon to mark the official opening of the new garden.

On hearing about the project, team members at Avant Homes Midlands were keen to get involved and help with the project to raise children's literacy levels.

Avant Homes Midlands sales director, Debby Pavitt, said: 'We are always looking for opportunities to give back to the communities in which we build.

'Everyone involved in this project is very pleased to hear that staff and pupils at the school are happy with the outcome of the reading garden. It was our pleasure to be involved and we're grateful that it is making a difference to the children's learning.'

Are you part of a local group or company that is involved with a project at a school in the Swaffham, Dereham, Fakenham or Wells area. Contact our reporter Dan Bennett with the details by emailing daniel.bennett@archant.co.uk.