Libraries
The Elizabeth Chorley Library - Prep Lower School
In March 2019 the Lower School officially opened their library dedicated to Elizabeth Chorley, a former head of the School. The celebration appropriately coincided with World Book Day which brought the library to life with everyone in costume!
The library has now become a refuge for the imagination as our youngest pupil develop their reading skills and spark a life-long love of books.
The LeRoy Library - Prep School
The purpose-built LeRoy library was opened on 14th February 2004 by the children's author Michael Morpurgo and is an extremely popular place!
It is available for use by all the children and adults at the Prep School and as such it plays a vital role in supporting the curriculum at every level. Its core aims are to encourage and foster a school community of confident readers and independent learners, who relish reading for pleasure.
The library has over 7,000 books. These include fiction and non-fiction, classified using the Dewey Decimal Scheme and the Accelerated Reader book and interest level. Pupils use the self issue system to borrow and keep track of the items they have out on loan or have previously read.
The library also has a collection of stories on CD, a children's newspaper, magazines, the listening centre and a selection of educational games. There are study tables along with beanbags and cushions in the reading area, all designed to create a relaxed but purposeful atmosphere - a place of creativity, quiet reflection, education and inspiration.
The library is open at break and lunchtime when Mrs Culwick, the Librarian, is on hand to help the children. In addition, every class has a timetabled library lesson in which the children are read to, pupils' reading is monitored and information skills taught. Each term there is a wide range of library events and book related activities including lunchtime clubs, competitions, quizzes, displays and storytimes.
The Cuthbertson Learning Resource Centre - Senior School
The Senior School Library is a treasure trove of books and other material supporting learning and teaching across the school.
It is a welcoming, quiet space where pupils can come to read, research and study. There are regular class visits as well as library clubs and events.
The library contains around 30,000 fiction and non-fiction books, including the latest publications such as the Yoto Carnegies book awards.
The two librarians encourage reading for pleasure and are always happy to help find the right book for you.
The librarians also teach research skills including:
- Navigating online information sources
- Critical thinking
- Data collection and analysis
- Report writing
- EPQ Extended Project Qualification
ICT Resource Centres
There are three ICT suites at the Senior School, including one in the DT department, with a separate ICT room for the Sixth Form. The suites are open all day, and in the evenings there are supervised sessions for pupils to catch up on prep.