Portakabin launches UK-wide competition to help tackle the shortage of school libraries

Thousands of primary school pupils across the UK could soon have the chance to access a new reading space, as Portakabin launches a nationwide competition. It invites primary schools to design their dream library and help tackle the shortage of library spaces across the nation.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently pledged to ensure every primary school in England has a library. There are currently 1,700 schools without one.

Encouraging imagination and inclusion

The Portakabin ‘Inspiring Libraries’ initiative encourages pupils and teachers across the UK to share their creative ideas for how school libraries could look and feel. It celebrates imagination while sparking conversations about the role of learning environments in supporting literacy, wellbeing and inclusion.

Entries are open until 16 January 2026, with the winning school announced on Friday 23 January 2026 at 12pm on its Facebook and LinkedIn channels. The winning design will be brought to life by Portakabin. It will provide a fully equipped modular library to the school free of charge for 12 months. This will demonstrate how modular innovation can bring reading to life, even where space and resources are limited.

“We know that many schools are facing challenges around space and resources,” said Dan Ibbetson, CEO of Portakabin. “Through Inspiring Libraries, we want to show how thoughtful design can make reading more engaging and inclusive for every child. By collaborating with schools on this initiative, we hope to spark conversations about the importance of reading spaces and how they can transform the learning experience for every child.”

Supporting literacy through innovative spaces

Research shows that one in seven primary schools in the UK do not have a library. This rises to one in four in disadvantaged areas. Studies have consistently linked access to engaging library spaces with positive impacts on children’s development, wellbeing and literacy skills.

With the initiative, Portakabin aims to support educators in exploring new ideas for creating inspiring learning environments that nurture a love of reading, while providing one primary school with a new space of their own.

Schools can enter the competition by downloading the template and submitting their design here.

Even more exciting news

As the leading company in modular building infrastructures, Portakabin works closely within the education sector and has joined the established list of associate sponsors for this year’s Educate Awards. Portakabin will sponsor the brand-new category, School Library of the Year.