The LSA Re-Imagining Project

12 December 2017

The LSA Re-Imagining Project

After over 2 years of design work, planning, fundraising and building work, the new Library & Learning Resource Centre was officially unveiled on 11th December 2017. Different members of the community such as staff, parents, students, governors, community groups and local businesses gathered together in the newly refurbished library to celebrate this amazing space. MR Wood gave a fantastic speech to welcome everyone and thank those who have made the LSA Re-Imagining Project possible (credited below). MR Wood had the honour of commemorating the special occasion by cutting the red ribbon in front of the plaque which will mark the significance of this project for many years to come.

The ceremony was a fitting tribute to MR Wood's Headship as he has been such a great ambassador for this project and sought to maintain funding for the Library whilst many other schools saw their Library service as an area where savings could be made in recent years. Over time and with a lot of care and attention, we have created a valued space for independent learning and teamwork which is a hugely important part of education and the Library aims to give every learner access to the very best in books and cutting-edge technologies available today.

Without the incredible support offered to the school over the last few years from numerous people within our school community and our local community this project may not have been possible. The design and plans were kindly drawn up by Jo Kember of Gilling Dod Architects & Interior Designs (a member of the PTFA), who have played a significant part in developing our ideas and turning students' and staffs' dreams into a beautifully crafted reality. Over the last two years the PTFA have raised approximately £18,000 for the library fund from various events (kindly advertised by The Local List) such as the Summer Ball, Stringers shopping events, shopping mornings, fashion evenings, Christmas market trips, fun runs and even chocolate events. There are lots of other people who have given their time freely and generously donated many gifts and prizes for our events all year round. The donation from the PTFA has made a dramatic impact and allowed us to deliver a fantastic new vision for the space that will serve our 21st century learners well.

Other contributions have been made more recently from Lytham Schools Foundation who have generously donated £8,500. Mr Martin Gunson attended the opening on behalf of Lytham Schools Foundation. Additionally the chair of the PTFA, Robert Owen, recently received a cheque for £1,000 from Booths St. Annes and a representative from Booths came along to our library opening. This means that the last stage of the renovation can now go ahead and hopefully should be completed just after Christmas.

The essential new design saw the Library separated into three areas "Make", "Present" and "Reflect" as identified by the wall graphics and each area helps us to meet the needs of the large numbers of students that have always used the space. During the ceremony students were seen quietly reading and productively working together on pieces of work whilst making full use of each area. The Present area saw the installation of a lovely new Amphitheatre for readings, recitals, presentations, media and skype sessions. Our MakerSpace begins with 3D printing and robotics and will evolve to include a mobile-media platform, building kits, lego and textiles which gives students the opportunity to express their creativity and opens up a whole range of possibilities for imaginative homework projects and student invention. The Reflect area has been opened up with additional comfortable seating and improved shelving layout for browsing. Back office spaces have been designed as a bookable meeting and study room which will allow us to launch new student committees and projects and we have immediate plans to launch an ethical/green group off the back of some of the green credentials of the project. The new design will also make the impressive fiction collection more accessible through the use of a Central Pod for catalogue searches and book promotions. And we have opened up the previously tight shelving layouts. Lighting up the whole space is some beautiful new energy efficient LED lighting which is far superior for students reading and studying in the space.

The evening ended on a high note with a superb cake created and donated by Lazy Day Cakes which Debbie Fox, the secretary of the PTFA cut and shared with everyone. Debbie Fox said "This project has been a fabulous team effort not only by the PTFA members but by staff at LSA, local community groups and businesses and the students who will hopefully enjoy the new creative space they now have for many years to come".