School Library

Studies show that students who read for pleasure do better in every aspect of their education.

Here at Murray Park School, we encourage ALL students to read for pleasure through a varied programme of lessons, activities, schemes and special events.

The library provides a welcoming, friendly, attractive and supportive environment with a collection of resources to meet the needs of our school and its students.

Students enjoy spending time in the Library to read, exchange books, complete homework, play board games or to use the computer facilities. We provide quality resources to support both reading for pleasure and the school curriculum in a variety of formats including:

  • Books – fiction, non-fiction, Manga, graphic novels, short Stories, joke books, language dictionaries for EAL students, as well as thesauruses and dictionaries
  • Board games – chess and draughts, Connect 4 etc.
  • Internet access – Computers and printer

Useful Information

Students are allowed to borrow up to 3 items. These can be fiction or non-fiction books. Most books are available for 3 weeks. Items can be renewed if you haven’t finished with them. We DO NOT charge fines for overdue items. However, a bill for the replacement cost of VERY overdue or lost items will be sent home. Students are expected to be responsible for their loans and will be charged for any damage. Computers are available for use after school to enable students to finish homework, print out coursework, research projects or revise for tests using study sites like Mymaths.co.uk. Help is available from the Librarian if needed.

Library Lessons

Students in all years have scheduled library lessons throughout the year, as part of their English timetable. They will have time to change their books and engage in discussions about their reading choices and recommendations. Staff make time to hear students read at least once each term.

We aim to make the library a pleasant space to be where students can enjoy spending time in classes or in their leisure time. Students are encouraged to choose books that are suitable for their age, abilities and interests. Help and advice is always available with book selection. There are opportunities for students to spend time in the library for other subject areas. This could be to use the library for research, private study, project work, revision, computer facilities or to develop library skills.

Read to Achieve

To support the reading that takes place in the Library, we also follow the Read to Achieve programme as part of our tutor time schedule.

Read to Achieve is a whole school literacy initiative which aims to not only raise the reading age of our students but also open their eyes to a world of different cultures and literary journeys within both fiction and non-fiction.

Reading takes place during form time every day, comprising of a mixture of a class reader and reading for pleasure. During reading for pleasure sessions, students may wish to use the book they are reading as part of Accelerated Reader.

A set of nine books have been purchased for each year group. These texts are age appropriate with a focus on widening student understanding of different people, cultures and lifestyles. These books are swapped across forms within a year group at different points in the year.

Library Information

Throughout the school year we arrange a variety of events and activities which encourage students to make the most of the library and to enjoy using it. These events include:

  • Author and Poet visits
  • Scholastic Book Fair
  • Competitions and Quizzes
  • World Book Day events and free £1 book vouchers
  • Shadowing the Carnegie Book Awards
  • Derbyshire Schools Book Awards

Clubs & Activities

There are a variety of lunchtime clubs held in the library which you might like to join. There is something to suit everyone. Please see posters for details or speak to library staff for more information.

Clubs we currently offer include:

  • Reading group
  • Quizzes
  • Breakfast club – any student can come to the Library and have a breakfast, free of charge, before 8.15am every day.
  • Homework club – use the Library and its resources to complete your homework before school, at lunchtime or at the end of the day.

Library Team:

Librarian – Mrs K Makasis

Student Assistants help out at lunch and break – aiming to complete certificates at Foundation/Intermediate and Higher levels

Library Opening Hours:

Monday 7.30am – 4.00pm

Tuesday 7.30am- 4.00pm

Wednesday 8.00 -4.00pm

Thursday 7.30am – 4.00pm

Friday 8.00am – 3.00pm

Homework Club:

7.30am – 8.30am Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

8.00am – 8.30am Wednesday and Friday

3.00pm – 4.00pm Monday – Thursday