A ‘TINY’ village school near Northwich which struggles getting new library books on its limited budget had received a fantastic boost. 

With only three classes and just 69 pupils on role, Antrobus St Mark’s Primary School doesn't benefit from economies of scale, and is also at a disadvantage when it comes to fundraising.

Acting head teacher, Rhian Perry, says they have to ‘think outside the box’ to make sure the library is always stocked with the latest kids' page-turners. 

That was until Rhian heard about the Community Book Pledge, run by one of the UK’s leading children’s publishers, Usborne Books. 

The scheme offers to uplift the value of any school’s order by 60 per cent, provided the money has been raised by working with the local community.

Northwich Guardian: Usborne books organsier, Helena Broadbent (left) with Antrobus St Mark's acting head teacher, Rhian Perry (right) with pupils from the nursery class and School CouncilUsborne books organsier, Helena Broadbent (left) with Antrobus St Mark's acting head teacher, Rhian Perry (right) with pupils from the nursery class and School Council (Image: Helena Broadbent)

Knowing teachers are already stretched for time, the scheme even helps schools find an agent – called an Usborne organiser – to manage the campaign on their behalf.  

Antrobus St Mark’s organiser, Helen Broadbent, recently raised almost £600 in donations from local businesses, including Focalpoint Optics, the Antrobus Arms, and Progressive Sports, the school’s sports provider.

With the top up from Usborne, on Wednesday, February 14, Helena was able to deliver £860 of new books to the school, which caused a huge wave of excitement among pupils and kids alike.

Head teacher Rhian said: “New books are always genuinely exciting for the kids. There’s a real buzz around them.

“As a tiny school with just 69 pupils, it can be really hard to get new books as often as we’d like.

“We sometimes struggle to fundraise too, as we're so small, and we have to get a bit creative and think outside the box.

“The Community Pledge increased massively the number of books we’ve had this year, and we’ve got loads of new author collections for the kids to get stuck into.

“We’re so grateful to the businesses who contributed, and to Usborne Books and to Helena. Every penny is going straight back to the children.

“They’re making thank you cards for them all at the moment."

Focalpoint Optics in Antrobus, who sell birdwatching equipment, suggested some of their donation could be used for nature book, which the school were more than happy to do.

The Antrobus Arms raised their donation via a Christmas pub quiz.

Usborne organiser, Helena, who operates as Edge Lane Books, said: “I’m so proud of what we’ve managed to achieve for Antrobus St Marks. We’ve done really well.

“The Community Book Pledge is a nationwide initiative to support a love of reading for pleasure, at home and at school.

“It’s about keeping reading up to date and brand new.”

If you think you child’s school would benefit from the Usborne Community Book Pledge, email Helena: helenalperry18@hotmail.com.