A PRIMARY school installed a new outdoor reading den for students.

Bellingham Primary School renovated its existing outdoor space into one designed to encourage student's love of reading.

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Wendy Goddard, headteacher of the school, said: "Reading is one of our main school priorities this year and we've looked at making small but significant changes to our reading areas throughout school.

Hexham Courant: The new reading denThe new reading den (Image: Bellingham Primary School)

"Our reading den idea was to encourage the love of reading and provide opportunities to read beyond the classroom, hopefully developing the children's love of reading for pleasure. 

"We've utilised our existing outdoor area that offered us scope for development and taken ideas from our children. The whole area has been transformed with artificial turf and some colourful bunting as well as outdoor seating and of course the 'reading den'.

Hexham Courant: The reading denThe reading den (Image: Bellingham Primary School)

"This was our old 'play house' but we realised it was under-used. The play equipment has been moved to new storage and the inside is now full of books, cushions and rugs creating a lovely reading environment. The children have chosen a book to put in the den so everyone will have at least one of their favourites.

"It's been fabulous to see the children excited to get the keys to the den and access reading at playtimes, sharing stories together and taking time to sit quietly. We have further plans to develop the area - making it an 'invention zone'  - watch this space," Ms Goddard said.