Welcome to the Library!
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world… Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day and make your lives extraordinary.”
― Robin Williams, Dead Poets Society
The Librarian: Mrs R Denwood
Student librarians: 10
Reading Ambassadors:9
The Library at Walton-le-Dale High School aims to motivate and inspire students to go on a reading journey that never ends! Every day the library opens its doors before school, at break and lunchtimes and after school to allow students to take advantage of the wide selection of books and publications we have to offer. Students can also take advantage of the ICT suite, alongside the books, to research topics of interest, aid them in their studies and complete homework tasks. We provide students with a space they can relax and even train them to be fully fledged librarians!
Morning Activities
Each morning, the library is open from 8:00am to 8:45am as a quiet reading and calm space where pupils can read on the beanbags and have access to the computers. This peaceful time before schools allows pupils to begin their school day in a calm and engaging manner.
Breaktime
During breaktime students have access to the literature and computers offered in the library, alongside a cupboard full of board games. We have a selection of DVDs that pupils can check out like the books.
Lunchtime
During lunchtime the library is open to pupils wanting to access the books, computers and games cupboard. On Tuesdays the School Newspaper Club meet to discuss articles, ideas, and to access to the computers to submit their work. On Wednesdays we have book club! Where every pupil in the library is given the choice of choosing a book to sit and read, or having the librarian or student librarians help them find a book! On Fridays we have ‘Film Friday’ where we watch films based on books and discuss the difference we spot. Competitions for creative writing, book reviews and student creativity run frequently, both from internal and external sources.
Afterschool club
The library is open every day after school from 15:05-16:00 Monday-Thursday and 15:05-15:30 on Fridays where pupils can access all the resources of the library.
Library Loyalty Cards
The library loyalty card scheme rewards students with a stamp for every book they have checked out and read, once they have reached 10 stamps, they received a badge! There are 10 badges to collect that will reflect 100 books read!
Student Librarians
Here at the Walton-le-Dale library, we also have our very own student librarians! Students can complete an application form and interview-like process to apply to train as a student librarian. Students can work towards different standards and often coach or mentor new ‘recruits’ as they progress through the ranks. Librarians must attend specific duties and play a key role in the smooth running of the learning resource centre. Student Librarians will have first access to new books, be valued for their ideas and input and rewarded with badges, certificates and Hot Chocolate nominations.
Challenges and Competitions
Alongside break and lunchtime events, we also run a number of competitions and reading challenges such as a Book Swap, Readathon and Summer Reading Challenge. Events such as World Book Day are marked through book sales in the Library and lots of action packed and inspirational activities. Prizes such as books and stationery are often awarded as students are enthused by the variety of competitions the library has to offer.
Author Visits and Events
At Walton-le-Dale High School, we have been lucky enough to have several authors visiting the school and running creative workshops and talks. We believe that real life experiences such as these help to engage students provide them with a secure understanding, not only of the writer’s craft, but also the widespread appeal or reading and writing as a life skill and creative tool. These workshops and events can encourage students to try their hand at editing, writing, book creation and a plethora of other creative outlets, because with hard work, passion and support, the students of Walton-Le-Dale are capable of anything.
WLD Echo