City & Country Celebrates World Book Day with School Book Donation

To celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 5 March, City & Country has donated £450 worth of new books and a handcrafted miniature library to Oldfield Park Junior School in Bath. Located close to the Bath Press development, the community school will use the donation to enhance its literacy resources and encourage pupils to develop a love of reading from an early age.

The initiative reflects City & Country’s commitment to supporting education and fostering strong community relationships in the areas where it builds. The donation includes a carefully curated selection of age‑appropriate fiction and non‑fiction books, alongside a free‑standing miniature library designed for the school playground. This outdoor addition provides pupils with a dedicated space to access books during break times, helping to make reading more accessible, engaging and part of everyday school life.

Research from BookTrust highlights that children who read regularly are more likely to develop stronger interpersonal and communication skills, helping them build confidence and meaningful relationships. By investing in both books and a playful reading environment, City & Country aims to support young readers while celebrating the broader benefits that reading brings to children’s learning and wellbeing.

Oldfield Park Junior School educates children aged seven to eleven and is part of The Palladian Academy Trust, which includes thirteen schools across the region. Reading plays a central role in school life, with the existing library frequently used by pupils as a quiet space for both independent reading and research. The additional books and outdoor library will help ease demand while encouraging students to explore stories in new settings.

Fleur Cannadine, Librarian at Oldfield Park Junior School, said: “Our current library is always well used, so it will be fantastic for pupils to have another space dedicated to exploring and enjoying books. The new books and the miniature library will make such a difference, particularly as we celebrate World Book Day. Creating engaging reading experiences is so important in helping children develop confidence and strong reading skills.”

The donation forms part of City & Country’s wider commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where it delivers new homes. By supporting local schools and initiatives, the company seeks to ensure its developments contribute beyond the built environment.

Shelley West, Group Sales and Marketing Director at City & Country, commented: “Making meaningful connections within the community is vital when delivering new homes, and initiatives like this help us to do just that. World Book Day provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading, and we believe encouraging children to enjoy books from a young age is essential in building confidence and laying the foundations for lifelong learning.”