The Senior School library is available to the whole school community, during term times, offering a range of resources that support the curriculum and independent learning.
The Librarian liaises closely with heads of departments to ensure that subjects covered in class are resourced in the Library so that the girls can obtain information books to assist with their homework and private study.
The fiction stock covers a wide range of both contemporary and classic titles to encourage an enjoyment of reading. The Librarian and the English Department work together to promote the “Reading Passport” scheme which encourages every girl to read a variety of genres and progress vital literacy and analytical skills.
We are also proud to be involved in the Red House Children’s Book Award and invite girls from all years to read and give their opinion on a selection of books submitted by publishers via the Award organisers and the Librarian.
The Library works closely with the English Department to organise a range of extra-curricular activities. We regularly welcome authors to talk to girls in years 7, 8 and 9 and hold book signings. In recent years we have been delighted to welcome the late Jan Mark, Jean Ure, Nigel Hinton, Lynne Reid Banks, Linda Newbery, Adele Geras, Celia Rees, Anne Cassidy and Sophia Bennett. We run events such as readathons, book quizzes, poetry treasure hunts and dressing up days in celebration of World Book Day, National Book Week and other literary anniversaries
The Library displays a range of specialised English journal titles and foreign language magazines. The Times newspaper is bought every day during term time. There are also regular in-house displays which may include short stories and/or poems written by the girls during English lessons and projects about the “Black Death”, “Life in the Trenches” and the Tudors which are researched in the Library in coordination with the History Department.
For the latest recommended reading lists, ready for curling up with a good book on a winter's day, and an ideal Christmas gift, click on the links below. All the titles are available in the Senior Library.
