The School Library is an inspiring space which is managed by a professional librarian and dedicated library staff, passionate about encouraging reading for pleasure. The Library offers students a large learning area for group work or quiet study, which is light and airy with lovely sea views. Our school has a wide range of books supporting different abilities and reading levels, 24 flat-screen computers with internet access, and a printer that is available for students’ use. All these resources and facilities are available to students during registration, at break time, lunch time, and at the end of the school day. Students can complete or undertake independent research to find books via the library catalogue Oliver. (A web based library management tool available on the library computers and 24/7 via the library quick link on the school VLE). The Library subscribes to a selection of good quality monthly periodicals that provide up-to-date information and accessible articles on a range of subjects. (BBC History, BBC Science Focus, BBC Wildlife, Digital Camera, National Geographic, Q – a high quality popular music magazine). Moreover a collection of Online subscriptions are available for KS3, 4 and 5 students via the school VLE. (Churchill Archive, Issues Online, Complete Issues, A ‘Level Magazine Archive)
The Library offers a welcoming and safe supervised area that aims to be at the heart of learning at our school. Staff briefings are held here two mornings each week. Students are also offered a range of enrichment activities throughout the year – including an annual author visit for Y7 and Y8 – which increases their interest in reading the author’s novels and boosts the confidence of any aspiring writers. There are a variety of book promotions and reading groups supported throughout the year (Such as Drop Everything and Read, World Book Day, Bookbuzz and the Carnegie Medal Shadowing), and also seasonal craft activities during lunch time – which are very popular.
Teignmouth Community School has been running Accelerated Reader since 2008. It is fully embedded into our strong reading culture – supported by Library staff and the whole English Department. At present it is provided for Y7 and Y8 and Y9 students and it enables us to encourage and monitor student reading progress. (See AR section below for more information).