An award-winning poet was invited to open the new library at an Enfield school.

The library at Ark John Keats Academy is home to more than a thousand books and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark its launch.

The grand opening in September saw the chairman of The Royal Society of Literature chairman and Radio 4's poet in residence Daljit Nagra given the honour of cutting the ribbon.

The Forward Poetry Prize and South Bank Show Decibel Award winner, whose poem Singh Song is part of the GCSE English curriculum, also spent time with pupils on a poetry workshop and gave a short reading.

Enfield Independent: Daljit Nagra speaking to pupils. Image: Ark John KeatsDaljit Nagra speaking to pupils. Image: Ark John Keats (Image: Ark John Keats)

The new library, which provides a new, warm space for pupils to read and study and took around a year to put together, has also been marked with a series of workshops led by illustrator Emily Fellah and author Laura Dockrill.

The programme of events culminated with the announcement of creative writing and poetry competition winners.

The first prize for creative writing was awarded to Year 13 student Nadira Alom, and runner-up Fardowsa Mohamed from Year 8. The first prize for poetry was awarded to Jamell Walker  in Year 10, with Year 11 pupil Holly Mein the runner-up. 

Enfield Independent: The new library at Ark John Keats. Image: Ark John KeatsThe new library at Ark John Keats. Image: Ark John Keats (Image: Ark John Keats)

Ark John Keats says it was also “delighted” to welcome Kate Steadman, chairman of The Spencer Steadman Trust, to recognise the trust’s financial contribution to the library redevelopment.

Enfield Council leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan also spoke to the students about her love of reading and how it has shaped her life. 

Katie Marshall, headteacher at Ark John Keats, said: “We are thrilled to have been supported by so many of your teams and the Spencer Steadman Trust to open such a wonderful space, which will benefit our students for so many years to come.” 

Ms Steadman added: “I would like to thank Ark for their partnership.  I would like to thank all our supporters without whom this would not be possible.  

“Above all I would like to thank the students of Ark John Keats Academy for making use of this facility and bringing its purpose to life.”