Students at The Suthers School in Fernwood create reference section out of donated textbooks

A secondary school came up with an innovative way to create their own reference library.

Needing to fill it with books, The Suthers School, in Fernwood, reached out to university students to donate a few of their textbooks to create a reference section in the library.

It was an idea that came from Pippa Suthers, the wife of the late Martin Suthers, a county councillor and education champion, who the school is named after.

The books will enable students to check out books to inspire them, to read the university students’ note-taking and for them to become familiar with how reference sections work.

The invitation also extended to the whole of the local community and they were gifted hundreds of books. It was such a huge success they have decided to make it an annual event.

Reaching out over social media did not go unnoticed. Lady Diana Brittan heard about the new library project and generously donated an additional 500 reference books from the collection of her late husband Sir Leon Brittan, the former MP, and late brother-in-law Samuel Brittan.

Lady Brittan (pictured) made a special visit to The Suthers School and enjoyed her time immensely. She said: “Thank you for providing such an opportunity and such an uplifting experience.

“To speak to so many students who were so self-assured and articulate and to feel that reflected in the ethos and atmosphere around school was wonderful. Thank you for making me feel so welcome.”

The Student Parliament is delighted at the prospect of yet more titles being donated to help create a reference library, which is linked to university courses. The school, with the support of Lady Brittan and Pippa Suthers, are the first to implement this innovative idea.

To donate to the library, email contact@suthersschool.co.uk or follow their social media.