Learning Resource Centre (Library)

Mrs C Yerbury (Librarian)
Email: [email protected]

The Academy’s Learning Resource Centre is a welcoming space for all year groups where students are free to browse our extensive range of fiction and nonfiction texts, borrow books, read and study in a peaceful yet engaging environment. We aim to develop a lifelong love of reading and the Library is open at the following times for students:

• Before school from 8:30am to Form Tutor time

• At break and lunchtimes Monday to Friday

• After school 3:20 to 4:20pm Monday to Thursday.

The Year 7 and Year 8 Booktalk & Craft Club is held afterschool 3:20 to 4:20pm on Wednesdays where students can discuss the books they are currently reading while taking on activities such as making mini books of their own.

We have recently invested in a wide range of new books including fiction by new and popular authors, a large selection of dyslexia friendly books, through to subject specific and general interest non-fiction. Students can borrow books for 2 weeks and then renew for an additional period if they wish. We ask that books are looked after and returned in good condition for others to read.

We regularly provide and update our lists of recommended reading to include new titles and books for all year groups across a wide range of genres and subjects. Posters and leaflets in the Library are frequently updated to encourage students to discover new authors and titles in addition to their favourite books. The Learning Resource Centre has a bank of 32 laptops for students to complete individual research and homework; or for staff across the school to book as part of their classroom learning area. Competitions are run across the academic year to engage students in reading.

Year 7 students participate in a Library Lesson every two weeks as part of the English curriculum. Students have the opportunity to browse, borrow and read Library books and to enjoy themed activities such as autobiographies, poetry, and reading or writing competitions.

 As an academy, we celebrate these achievements and reward students with certificates and prizes. We have Library Champion badges available for students that submit an outstanding book review, design a poster about an author, attend the Year 7 & Year 8 BookTalk & Craft Club, or regularly volunteer to help in the LRC. Throughout the year we hold special events to mark significant calendar events such as National Poetry Day, Black History Month, Shakespeare Week, and Halloween.

We also have a range of celebration days:

World Book Day

World Book Day is an event that students look forward to each year. The focus each year is to remind students of the joys and benefits of reading. Excerpts of texts are used in English lessons, competitions are run and the importance of reading is discussed and embedded throughout each lesson.

Shakespeare Day:

This year we have celebrated Shakespeare day with assemblies for each year group and activities in the LRC. We have also run a student quotation hunt competition for all year groups.

National Poetry Day:

Our academy celebrates National Poetry Day every year, celebrating poetry and its power. Each lesson has a poetry element to it on the day, with English focusing on poetry for the entirity of lessons. Competitions and workshops are also run for students, by students, across the academy.