Bob Stafford, a past master of Anchorsholme Lodge No 5854, who regularly supported Great Arley School, liaised with Gemma Anderson, the School Business Manager, and suggested that they should apply for a community grant from West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity to assist the school in applying for a grant to help them realize their dream of having a sensory library for their pupils.
Their aim was to provide the right curriculum that is personalised for every child to ensure that they reach their full potential and to develop a curriculum that is designed for the greatest impact on the needs of their students. Reading is a vital part of a child’s learning and a key life skill to help them lead an independent life.
After WLFC received the application, it was suggested that Peter Mann from WLFC and John Cross, Group Chairmen of the North Fylde Group make a visit to the school. They made the visit, along with Regional Charity Steward Bob Marsden, and they were very impressed with everything the school does for their pupils and the plans they had for the sensory library. The school wants to encourage a positive reading culture across the school and provide an interactive, fully immersive environment for the children to read in, which would help them to thrive in all aspects of learning. The school has an age range from four to16 year olds and they needed the library to cater for the needs of all the pupils.
The school also has an ingenious way of creating excitement and friendly competition among the children. every week the children can gain a token for excellent work and behaviour, which they can use at the end of the week in a special vending machine containing books, this has helped in many ways and created a buzz among the children to see who has got the best book. Oddly enough the sports books, especially the football books, seem to be the favourite choice.
WLFC were delighted with the application and granted the school £16,000 to assist them to achieve their goal with this very special library and environment for the children to spend time on their own with no outside distractions which has created a special interest in reading among the children.
Peter Higham, Headmaster of the school said: “We are delighted with the support from West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity with such a generous community grant, and on behalf of the children, parents and the staff I really can’t thank them enough. Reading is dreaming with your eyes open.”
