THE NATION’S Supervet and best-selling author will officially open a school’s newly-created library today (Friday, November 28).
Noel Fitzpatrick will be at Birchen Coppice Primary Academy ahead of the National Year of Reading 2026.
Every family in the school will also receive a copy of Noel’s new children’s book Over the Rainbow Bridge.
The ‘Rainbow Bridge’ is the journey said to be taken by pets when they pass away.
Noel’s visit marks a significant milestone in the academy’s mission to nurture a lifelong love of reading in every child.
It has transformed one half-empty bookshelf in a storage classroom into a magical new library with hundreds of donated books.
The move has brought local business and the community together.
Between them, they have created a space for children and families to explore books, stories, and ideas – sometimes for the first time.
Noel said: “It is a joy to help open this beautiful new library for the children of Birchen Coppice Primary Academy.
“Stories have the power to change lives, and it’s wonderful to see a school placing reading at the very heart of its community.”
Sandra Pennington, Birchen Coppice’s headteacher, said: ‘This is the first time our school has had a library and it’s already playing a huge part in changing both the school and our children’s fortunes.
“Our school is socially and economically challenged and we know reading is key to positive change.
“The library has been at the heart of that change and we have recently moved out of special measures with an Ofsted report saying ‘pupils’ behaviour has continued to improve’.
“All children want to make a success of school and aspirations founder on our children’s ability to read and access opportunities.
“Our library is changing this and I see the joy and pride in the children’s faces as they spend time with books in this calm, colourful and beautiful space.
Pupil Keira added: “I love reading in the pods, they block the noise out and I can really escape into the story.”
In celebration of this special occasion, every family at Birchen Coppice Primary Academy will receive a copy of Noel’s new children’s book,
Over the Rainbow Bridge, illustrated by Alison Brown, is a heartfelt story about love, loss and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
The gift aims to inspire shared reading at home and support the school’s commitment to building a strong reading culture across the whole community.
As well as Noel Fitzpatrick, Birchen Coppice Primary Academy will also be welcoming special guests including Ian Smith, High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Coun Doug Hine, Mayor of Kidderminster, Wyre Forest District Councillor Nathan Desmond, Roland Roberts, chair of Governors, and Cathy Harris, project lead and school governor.
Other invited guests include people from Simon and Schushter, Amanda Harris, founder of Maven Literary Management, the National Literacy Trust, Webbs Garden Centres, Patrick Etherden, Nicki Fry, head of Tormead Prep School, Halesowen College and other local supporters who have played important roles in creating the school library.
