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 â fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, revision guides, career development material, short stories, language dictionaries for EAL students, as well as thesauruses and dictionaries
- A variety of extra-curricular activities that encourage reading and creativity
- Board games â chess, draughts, Monopoly, Cluedo and much more…
- Internet access â Computers, iPads and printer to complete homework and read online
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 havenât finished with them. We DO NOT charge fines for overdue items. However, students and parents/carers may be asked to pay for any books to be replaced that are damaged or lost. Students are expected to be responsible for their loans and will be charged for any damage. Computers are available for use during and after school to enable students to finish homework, print out coursework, research projects or revise for tests. 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 inviting and pleasant space where students can enjoy spending time in both their 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, be that from a teacher or the librarian. We even have a list of recommended books for KS3 and KS4 to help students get started.
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.
Accelerated Reader and Sparx Reader
To support and develop a studentâs reading skills, we use Accelerated Reader and Sparx Reader. Both programmes help students to improve their reading by taking tests and quizzes, as well as being able to access and read a huge range of literature.
We begin every reading lesson at the beginning of each term with an Accelerated Reader âSTAR Reader Testâ. This test is composed of 34 multiple-choice questions which, once completed, provide an accurate reading age for a student. This then allows us to recommend books that are appropriate for their ability. In holding the test three times a year, we are able to not only track a studentâs progress over the year but throughout their time at Murray Park.
For every book read after these tests, a student will have the ability to take a quiz on a book. Every quiz is 5-20 multiple choice questions relating to facts/events within the book. Every book read successfully adds to their word count (an overall total of words that the student has read, calculated by how many words are in the books that students take quizzes) on). The students with the highest word count, by the end of the year, are entered into a prize draw where they can win books, special experiences and much more.
Secondly, we use Sparx Reader for setting reading homework for students, which is to be completed within the week that it is set. This ensures a consistent and healthy relationship with reading, helping students to develop their skills and develop their confidence.
Read to Achieve
To support the reading that takes place in the Library, we also follow the âRead to Achieveâ 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.
Winter Recommendations
To further encourage and nurture a love of reading and introduce students to a diverse array of literature both classic and modern, we have put together a full list of KS3 and KS4 books that we recommend to our students – the âWinter Recommendationsâ. All of these books are stocked within the library and available to loan.
Most of our Winter Recommendations have been given an Accelerated Reader score, meaning that for every book read, a student would be able to take a quiz on that book and improve their overall word count for books read. The higher the word count, the more likely they will be entered into our prize draw at the end of the year.
In addition to this, if a student is successful in completing 10 of the Winter Recommendations book quizzes, they will be rewarded with an Amazon gift voucher.
KS3 Recommendation List:
Skellig (3.5)
Noughts and Crosses (4)
Stone Cold (4.3)
A Monster Calls (4.8)
Wonder (4.8)
The Bone Sparrow (4.9)
Matilda (5)
Lord of the Flies (5)
Stormbreaker (5.1)
Coraline (5.1)
Goodnight Mister Tom (5.1)
The Book Thief (5.1)
The Hunger Games (5.3)
When the Sky Falls (5.4)
The Fault in Our Stars (5.5)
Refugee Boy (5.6)
The Life of Pi (5.7)
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (5.7)
The Boy in The Striped Pajamas (5.8)
War Horse (5.9)
I am Malala (5.9)
The Fellowship of The Ring (6.1)
Northern Lights/Golden Compass (6.2)
The Secret Garden (6.3)
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (6.6)
The Hobbit (6.6)
KS4 Recommendation List:
American Gods (5.3)
To Kill a Mockingbird (5.6)
Birdsong (6.1)
Things Fall Apart (6.2)
Dracula (6.6)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (6.7)
Catch 22 (7.1)
The Woman in Black (7.2)
The Great Gatsby (7.3)
Aliceâs Adventures in Wonderland (7.4)
Little Women (7.5)
A Portrait of Dorian Gray (7.7)
Jane Eyre (7.9)
Treasure Island (8.3)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (8.4)
Edgar Allen Poe: Selected Tales (8.8)
The War of The Worlds (9.1)
Great Expectations (9.2)
Around the World in 80 Days (9.6)
10,000 Leagues Under the Sea (10)
Middlemarch (10.4)
Macbeth (10.5)
Oliver Twist (11.3)
Wuthering Heights (11.3)
Pride and Prejudice (12)
Frankenstein (12.2)
Romeo and Juliet (12.5)
Gulliverâs Travels (13.5)
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 ÂŁ1 book vouchers
- Carnegie Book Awards events
- Derbyshire Schools Book Awards
- Curated trips and experiences
Clubs & Activities
There are a variety of lunchtime clubs and afterschool activities held in the library for students to enjoy. There is something to suit everyone! Please see displays and tutor slides for details or speak to library staff for more information.
Clubs we currently offer include:
- The Detective Association – an interactive club that encourages independence, problem-solving and reading to discover clues and solve cases. Held every Tuesday lunchtime.
- Board Games Club – a fun and exciting way to hang out with friends after school. Offering both classic board games and modern table top. Held every Tuesday after school between 3.00pm-4.00pm.
- The Journalism Society – a collaborative effort amongst students, encouraging skills in creative writing and graphic design, to photography and advertising to design, construct and publish a school magazine. Weekly meetings are held every Thursday lunchtime.
- Breakfast Club â any student can come to the Library and have a breakfast, free of charge, between 7.45am â 8.30am every day.
Library Team:
Librarian â Mr James Winter
Student Assistants help out at lunch and break â aiming to complete certificates at Foundation/Intermediate and Higher levels whilst establishing and maintaining a healthy, safe and welcoming culture within the library.
Library Opening Hours:
Monday 7.45am â 4.00pm
Tuesday 7.45am â 4.00pm
Wednesday 7.45am â 4.00pm
Thursday 7.45am â 4.00pm
Friday 7.45am â 3.30pm
Breakfast Club:
The library is open everyday from 7.45amâ8.25am every day of the week. If a student needs to catch-up on work, wants to eat some breakfast (we supply a range of cereals), or just wants to relax before school starts – the library is the place to go!
7.45am â 8.30am Everyday
Useful Links:
Accelerated Reader:
https://global-zone61.renaissance-go.com/educatorportal/home
MyOn:
Sparx Reader:
AR Book Find:
Library Catalogue:
