Library

The Library is designed to meet a range of students’ learning and study needs. Our librarian works hard to cater to a wide range of readership from Year 7 to adult. Students can access the library before and after school, during break and lunchtimes. Our Sixth Formers use the library for silent study during their independent study periods. It is also the careers hub for the school, where students have the opportunity to access professional careers advice through one to one consultations.

Our librarian is Mrs Kirsty Michell.

Students can apply to become pupil librarians, helping the staff run the library at break and lunchtime. Pupil Librarians learn how a library works and develop skills to help their fellow students.

Opening hours: 8.20am to 4.15pm Monday to Friday (Wednesday 8.45am opening)

How do we help you study?
The library is a hive of activity, sited in the Sixth Form Centre at the heart of the Banbury Aspirations campus. Library facilities include over 18,000 books, 25 study spaces, 30 networked computers with internet access and colour printing facilities. Staff are available to provide support to all students, helping them to access information, select reading material and use the facilities.

Reading for pleasure
Year 7 – Recommended reading list
Year 8 – Recommended reading list
Year 9 – Recommended reading list
Year 10 and 11 – Recommended reading list

We have recently updated our reading for pleasure stock with the help of a £8000 grant from the Foyle Foundation. This includes interesting new non-fiction books on topics such as sport and science, biographies and self-help books to help our young people cope with the stresses of growing up. Our fiction books range from classics to popular authors such as David Walliams and Jeff Kinney, award winning young adult fiction, graphic novels, Manga and Quick Reads to encourage reluctant readers.

The library was also lucky enough to win a £300 book raffle prize from Renaissance UK & Ireland and Laburnum House Educational. We have stacks of new books in the library for you to enjoy including the Times Children’s Book of the Year – When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle and several books from the Carnegie Medal 2021 Shortlist plus a set of Ultimate Football Heroes – come and check out whether your favourite player is amongst the titles!

Popular magazines are also available for everyone to read in the library, this currently includes:

• Evo
• Four Four Two
• F1 Racing
• Playstation Official Magazine
• Strike IT
• Top Gear
• Total Film
• Xbox: The Official Magazine.

Library Catalogue
Eclipse is the Library’s online catalogue which provides information about all the resources available in the library. It can be used to search for specific titles or to find out what is available on a particular topic or subject. Staff will happily provide you with a demonstration if you are unsure how to use it, just ask. To access Eclipse, click on this link:  Eclipse

Homework
From 3.05pm to 4.15pm the library is open for all students to study and complete homework. The librarian is on hand to help students find information and provide support with the completion of their homework. If there are any queries regarding this, please ask in the library.

Staff are also happy to help with information literacy skills including how to find, evaluate and use information in books and online.