Library and Learning Resources Centre (LRC)

Welcome to our Library and Learning Resources Centre

Our Library and Learning Resources Centre (LRC) is a vibrant hub for knowledge and creativity, accessible to all students in senior school. We open our doors at 7:30am and close at 6:30pm. You are welcome to pop in during break time and lunchtime and explore or join in any activities we have in store for you. During lesson time, we also support students studying independently. You’ll find two distinct spaces: the Library and the LRC.

Library Section

As you step inside, you’ll encounter a serene area designed for quiet reading and independent study. Here are the key features:

• Book Collections: Our library boasts an extensive collection of both fiction and non-fiction books.
• Specialized Libraries: Inclusive selections such as the Helena McMorran Library for Neurodiversity, graphic novels, Manga, fiction series, classic novels, historic fiction, poetry, fantasy, and other captivating fiction stories.
• Fiction Organised by Age: To make browsing easier, we’ve organised the library into sections dedicated to different year groups, for age appropriateness. Colour-coded stickers on book spines help you quickly identify relevant materials.
• Non-Fiction Collections: Consists of selections related to science, ethics, art and technology, performing arts, languages, a rich collection of biographies, memoirs and autobiographies, and a careers library, ensuring that everyone finds resources tailored to their needs.

Digital Access to Our Library and Reading Material:

• Oliver Softlink Library Catalogue: Our comprehensive online library catalogue allows students to browse our collection, locate physical books within the library, and access Sora eBooks and Audiobooks from home or school. (Library Catalogue)
• Sora eBooks and Audiobooks: Access a vast collection of eBooks and audiobooks through the Sora platform, downloadable from the App Store or Google Play. This resource supports inclusivity, catering to reluctant readers, speakers of other languages, and those who prefer different reading formats. (Sora online)
• The Day News: This platform ensures students stay informed with accessible online news articles, enhancing their understanding of current events. (The Day online)
• Library Intranet: Developed this year, our Library Intranet provides digital access to all library-related resources such as reading recommendations, information on our services, details about activities, volunteering opportunities, and more. Stay updated by following us on Instagram! (Library Intranet)

Exciting Initiatives:

• Book Trust Book Buzz: In Year 7, students are introduced to 16 titles from this initiative to spark their interest in reading. (Book Buzz 2024)
• GDST Book Award: In Year 8, we present five selected titles to continue nurturing their love for books. (GDST Book Award internal access only)
• Carnegie Medal Titles: Year 9 students explore acclaimed literature through this prestigious award. (Yoto Carnegie Medal)
• News and Revision Skills: For Years 10 and 11, we offer access to current events and news through The Day, alongside resources to develop their revision skills.
• Wider Reading Projects and EPQ: We support Year 12 and 13 students with their extended projects and broader reading assignments.

Author Visits: This year, we had the pleasure of hosting Katherine Rundell, author of “Impossible Creatures,” “The Explorer,” and “The Wolf Wilder,” as well as Chrissie Keighery, author of “Whispers,” and Kei Kutsuwada, a Manga illustrator.

Engaging Activities: Beyond books, we offer a variety of engaging activities throughout the year:

• Puzzles, board games, touch typing sessions, book clubs, writing competitions, and creative displays.
• “Fun Fridays,” featuring Minecraft Education games.
• Themed crafts, bookish crafts, and reading-related activities organised in the library at lunchtime.

Celebrations and Festivals: We celebrate diversity in literature, books, authors, illustrators, and stories throughout the academic year. Our Literary Calendar is integrated with the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Calendar, informing our displays, activities, and discussions. The library community of students gets actively involved in supporting or organising events and activities, to name a few: for Black History Month (BHM), Libraries Week and Poetry Day, South Asian Heritage (SAH), and Non-Fiction November, East Asian Heritage (EASH), National Storytelling, World Book Day, International Women’s Day, Careers Week, LGBT History Month, Mental Health and Neurodiversity Week, National Audiobook and Crime Novel, culminating in our Suttonbury Festival.

Sustainability Commitment: We’re passionate about sustainability and have implemented several initiatives:

• Accepting donations of unwanted books and board games.
• Promoting book swaps.
• Repurposing old books by adding small collections of old or unwanted books in various areas around the senior school, selling books during charity week, gifting duplicate unwanted books.
• Using damaged books for bookish arts and crafts, and incorporating recycled materials such as old newspapers, egg boxes, and ceramics into our bookish activities.
• Purchasing eBooks and Audiobooks instead of printed second copies and also exploring other digital reading formats.
• Minimising printing by recommending alternative ways of submitting homework, or reading on screen using Microsoft immersive reader or read-aloud options.
• Encouraging the use of scrap paper where possible.

Collaborations with Other Departments:

• We work closely with the English Department to ensure that texts studied in class are available in various accessible formats. We also promote reading for pleasure and roll out creative reading projects throughout the year during half-term breaks and reading challenges during school holidays. We encourage every student to have a reading book or reading material in school every day.
• We work closely with the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) department to ensure that we can support students and staff in finding reading material to support reading for pleasure and subjects studied at school.
• Manage the issuing of textbooks for several departments.
• Develop a reading list following subject teachers’ recommendations.
• Welcome class visits to the library to explore our subject-specific library selections.

Student Librarians:

We welcome student library helpers from all year groups. Students in Year 9 or above who wish to volunteer for the DofE go through a formal process of application. This role involves issuing, returning, and shelving books, assisting library users, promoting the library, creating eye-catching displays, and organising library activities. Full training is provided, making it an excellent opportunity for those who enjoy reading and helping others, and anyone who is reliable, friendly, hard-working, and confident in ordering items alphabetically and numerically.

Learning Resources Centre (LRC)

The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) is equipped with computers, a photocopier, and an office where the Head of Careers is based. It is a multifunctional space used for Computer Science lessons, Design and Technology (DT), and Digital Literacy classes. The LRC provides an interactive environment for students to engage in creative activities, explore new topics, and immerse themselves in the world of technology and digital learning.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Library and Learning Resources Centre, where you can explore new topics, engage in creative activities, and immerse yourself in the world of books and digital resources.

Sutton High Senior School Library LinkTree

Our library, a cornerstone of knowledge and learning, has a rich and storied past that dates back to its founding in 1900. From its humble beginnings as a small collection of books, it has grown into a comprehensive resource centre that serves the diverse needs of our students and staff. Over the years, our library has continually evolved, embracing technological advancements and expanding its collection to include digital resources, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of educational support. Join us as we explore the milestones and achievements that have shaped our library into the invaluable establishment it is today.