How we stretch & challenge readers – first and foremost we encourage independent reading for pleasure, we purchase books for the library based on what students ask for.

The library offers a wide range of stock from contemporary fiction to classics and everything in-between.

The library stock is chosen around the concept: Windows, Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors.

                  Windows: Books can serve as windows, offering readers a view into someone else's experience, culture, or world. They allow readers to see beyond their own lives and understand the lives of others. This perspective is crucial for fostering empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.

Mirrors: Books can also act as mirrors, reflecting the reader's own life and experiences. This reflection is important particularly for children, to see themselves represented in literature. It helps validate their existence and experiences, contributing to a sense of self-worth and identity.

Sliding Glass Doors: Books as sliding glass doors allow readers to step into another world and become part of it. This aspect of reading invites deeper engagement, where readers can immerse themselves in different settings, cultures, and experiences, effectively broadening their horizons and understanding. This is explanation is taken from Love Reading 4 Kids website. 

Support for your child to develop their love of reading–

Every week in tutor time we publicise new books available in the Library

A regular book of the month spotlight always draws attention to books students might like to read.

We have a book suggestion box in the library which is always popular and has really developed our breadth of books.

We have “What to read next” posters to help your child choose similar books. For example, if they have liked Hunger Games or Wimpy Kid, suggestions on what they might like to read next.

Our wonderful weekly extra-curricular clubs are hugely popular. The Creative writing and word game group meet on a Monday after school in the library. The ever growing Dungeons and Dragons club (a roleplaying game that encourages storytelling and is great for developing oracy) meet in the library every Thursday after school.

We also run a Book club based around each book award that the school shadows such as the Carnegie Award or Excelsior Award, those run at breaktimes.

The library is available before and after school as well as breaks and lunch, for students to browse the bookshelves, and change and renew books.

The library stocks a range of books for all abilities, shorter reads, graphic novels, dyslexia friendly books, we also have access to hardcopy large print books on request for students with visual impairments, as well as classics and young adult books.

Our staff at National are also not shy on giving their book recommendations. “What I am currently reading” posters can be found in most classrooms and we hope to give students a good model for a life long love of reading for pleasure.