Whitehaven and Workington MP, Josh MacAlister visited Moor Row Primary School to celebrate World Book Day, and opened community library shed.

During the visit, Josh toured the school and read with each of the school’s four classes.

Speaking with pupils and staff, he emphasised the importance of reading in children’s education and development, and highlighted the Government’s Year of Reading initiative.

As part of the visit, Josh also officially opened the school’s new community library shed.

The space has been stocked with a collection of books designed to encourage the wider community to develop a love of reading.

He praised the school for its commitment to promoting literacy and creating opportunities for children to enjoy books.

Josh said: “It was a real pleasure to visit Moor Row Primary School and celebrate World Book Day with pupils and staff.

“Reading is the foundation of a good education and a skill that opens doors throughout a child’s life.

“That’s why the Government has launched a Year of Reading and is taking action to ensure more children develop strong literacy skills and a lifelong love of books.

“Schools like Moor Row are doing fantastic work to inspire young readers, and it was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the pupils and to open their new community library shed.

“It was also great to see the new outdoor equipment created by apprentices from AtkinsRéalis and Forth Engineering. Projects like this show how apprenticeships can make a real difference in our communities while giving young people valuable hands-on experience.”

Josh also visited new outdoor equipment recently installed at the school, which was designed and built by apprentices from AtkinsRéalis, with support from Forth Engineering.

The project provided the apprentices with practical experience while helping to enhance the school’s outdoor learning and play environment for pupils.

Jacqui Beavis, Headteacher at Moor Row Primary School, said: “We were delighted to welcome Josh MacAlister MP to our school to celebrate World Book Day.

“Reading is something we place at the heart of school life, and it was wonderful for our pupils to share their enthusiasm for books with him.

“The opening of our new community library shed is an exciting moment for the school and will help us continue encouraging children to discover the joy of reading.

“We are also incredibly grateful to the apprentices from AtkinsRéalis who designed and built the new outdoor equipment.

“It will make a fantastic addition to our playground and will be enjoyed by pupils for many years to come.”

Katherine Finn, one of the apprentices who worked on the project, said: “It was great to be involved in a project that will have such a positive impact on the school.

“Being able to design and build something that the pupils can use every day was a really rewarding experience, and it gave us valuable practical experience as apprentices.”

Josh also encouraged parents to read regularly with their children and to support the school’s efforts to promote literacy both at school and at home.