The library is located on the first floor of the Canterbury block (above the Sixth Form). It is open daily from 8:15 am to 4:00 pm.

It is a light, bright, and airy space with seating for over 60 students, along with dedicated study tables and computers. We offer a safe, welcoming, and supported environment for both students and staff to study, read, or carry out research. To maintain a peaceful environment, students are asked to work quietly and respect others sharing the space.

The library also features dedicated study areas for Sixth Formers and staff. The space is managed by our School Librarians, Mrs. Best and Mrs. Dennis.

Library stocks and resources

We want to encourage a love of reading while giving students the resources they need to support their studies. The Library offers:

• Fiction, non-fiction, text books, and magazines are available.

• Students may borrow up to 2 books for 2 weeks.

• Students have access to computers and a printer during break times, as well as before and after school. They are provided with their own logins at the beginning of Year 7 or when they join the school. E-mail addresses and Google Drive logins are assigned to each student which they can access at school, at home or any device connected to the internet.

• Stationery Shop – a wide selection of pens, pencils, paper, calculators etc are available to buy from the Library desk at cost price during break times.

• The library also issues locker keys for hire fee at the beginning of each academic year.  These can be paid for via Parent Pay.

• The school subscribes to Devon School Library Service and regularly updates stock to include new releases and reflect students' interests.

Helping students get started

All new students undergo a Library induction; it teaches them how to find resources. The shelving system is explained - fiction books alphabetically by author’s surname and non-fiction using the Dewey Decimal System of numbers for subjects.

Mayne Reads

The Library plays a key role in the school’s whole school read initiative, which we call Mayne Reads.

Our whole school read books have included: The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Scythe by Neal Shusterman , I am Malala by Malala Usafzai, Flowers of Algernon by Daniel Keyes and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.  These books are read with  Form Tutors during Tutor Time.

Sparx Reader

All year 7,8 and 9 students have a Library Lesson once a fortnight where they read from a selection of books on Sparx Reader.  Sparx Reader is also set for English homework weekly.

Clubs

Library Club runs after school on Wednesdays. Students can join in bookish activities, board games and crafts and enjoy a biscuit and chat.  Open to all year groups.  We also host other clubs throughout the year.

After School

Monday to Friday from 3.15 – 4.00pm. The Library remains open after school for students who wish to complete their homework.  They can use the computers and ask for help if required.

Student Librarians

We invite students in years 8 to 11 to apply to assist in the library as Student Librarians. Student Librarians help with tidying and shelving bookshelves, preparing books for cataloguing, creating displays and helping with events. All student librarians are expected to be enthusiastic readers!  We are also open to students completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award to volunteer within the Library as part of their Award.

Competitions

The library runs frequent competitions for students to take part in throughout the year.  In addition to these all students who achieve Gold Reader on Sparx Reader will be invited to an end of term celebration. In the past these have included Hot Chocolate and Ice Cream parties and Escape Rooms!