Our Library

Bridging the opportunity gap

Our Library is at the heart of our school building. An inclusive and accessible space to allow study, reading for pleasure and the opportunity for all students to fulfil their potential.

Ambition

Challenging ourselves to read texts that are new to us.

Respect

Treating our library space with respect by tidying up after ourselves.

Compassion

Reading a range of texts to develop our empathy skills.

Courtesy

Being kind to other users of the space and treating volunteer students with kindness.

Honesty

Asking for help when we need guidance or support on our reading journey.

Reading for Pleasure

KS3 students have one dedicated Reading for Pleasure lesson per week as part of their English lessons. Across the school year, students will: visit the school library to browse and read for pleasure, engage in online author book talks, share reading in groups, write book reviews, and take part in termly reading conversations.

How our library is organised

Our enticing books are grouped in themes linked to the #inmyshoesWCS challenge so that all students can find something to capture their imaginations. You can find out more about engaging reading for pleasure ideas here https://willingdonschool.org.uk/learning/literacy

Current sections include: about life, adventure, animal stories, autobiographies and biographies, based on real life, comics, crime, dystopian and scary, fantasy, funny, graphic novels, mythology, non-fiction, poems, sci-fi, sport, super readable and dyslexia friendly and war.

We actively engage with the Southern School Book Awards, and longlists from the Carnegie Medal and UKLA Book Award. This ensures our stock is always packed with the new ideas and genres.

KS4 Study Zone

KS4 students are invited to study, revise and read in our dedicated KS4 Study Zone: bridging the gap between school and college. We are currently building our selection of older reader books and have well stocked revision guides to support students during their exam success journey.

Support from the Friends of Willingdon

Thank you to the Friends of Willingdon School for their invaluable sponsorship of BookBuzz for Year 7 and 8 students. Through this project, each year 7 and 8 student is gifted a book of their choice from a fantastic list pre-selected by the Book Trust.

In addition, the Friends of Willingdon have also contributed to developing new stock for older readers and the Chromebooks that are used daily for students to independently study in the library.

If you would like to donate to the Friends of Willingdon Book Buzz fundraising, please do so via ParentPay or contact our main reception.

Clubs and Activities

Our library is open at break and lunchtime for students to study and read for pleasure. A range of inclusive clubs take place to ensure there is something in the library for everyone.

World Book Day Celebrations

During World Book Day we celebrate the amazing year-round reading for pleasure adventures our students take part in together with some special events: our annual library quiz and book lanyard treasure hunt help everyone become involved.