Placed at the heart of the school, the library’s mission is to create confident, enthusiastic readers and engage children in life-long learning. The importance of reading for pleasure has been well documented; reading unlocks a world of knowledge and learning, and when children read for pleasure, they build their knowledge and vocabulary, develop spelling and punctuation skills, increase empathy and improve wellbeing. We aim to foster and instil a love of reading for pleasure in all our pupils. The information below explains how we aim to achieve this.

Our library has close to 6000 printed resources. We have a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books which support the school curriculum and reflect the diverse world we live in.

Every week, pupils visit the library with their class teacher; it’s a time when they can explore the shelves independently and “lose themselves in a good book”. Guidance on how to choose a book, along with weekly book discussions, ensure pupils feel confident in choosing a book they will enjoy reading.  We also encourage them to reflect on their reading journey through verbal and written book reviews.

Induction to the library aims to develop independent library skills.  Pupils are issued with their own library account, where they can issue and return their own books, check their current loans, search for resources using the library catalogue and write book reviews.  Pupils can also access the school library catalogue, as well as their library account, from home by using the following link:

•  https://apps.libresoft.co.uk/8222147-hnwqk5va8q64bpkjwshb-pps

The library is at the heart of the school and is the fist place you will see on entering the school via reception. Our library is a vibrant, inviting space, where children can come for lessons and also during lunches if they wish to do so. We also run clubs that are located in the library.

How the library is organised

All children are free to browse all sections of the library.  Library books are available for children to choose and we call this element of their reading ‘reading for pleasure’ .It is important that they have ownership of what they choose to read, and we find that this encourages children to take an interest in, and develop a love of, reading. All children take home one fiction book and one non-fiction book. All children have a weekly timetabled library session but are encouraged to change these books more regularly should they wish to do so.

Whilst the whole library is open to all children, we do have ways to encourage children to read books appropriate for their age, interests and abilities. Below, we have shared some of the ways in which the library is organised to support children with their book choices:

Fiction Green Spot Section ‘Beginning to read’

• Suitable for children that just starting to read.
• Simple stories with large clear text and up to about 50 pages.
• A few words or short simple sentences on each page.
• No more than 500 words in the book.

Fiction Short Chapter Books ‘Younger readers’

• Suitable for beginner readers that are becoming more independent and confident.
• Introduces chapters and more detailed stories.
• Stories will still include illustrations.

Fiction Blue Alphabet Labels ‘Junior Fiction Books’

• Suitable for confident readers.
• Stories are more complex.
• May include some illustrations but a lot more text.
• Longer chapters.
• Will range in length.

Fiction Red Alphabet Labels ‘Older Readers’

• Confident readers.
• Stories are much more complex.
• Sophisticated vocabulary.
• Some with longer chapters.
• Some books will cover mature themes.
• These books have been grouped together as they have been written for 9-11 years old in the older reader section (red alphabet stickers). Many of these books do have mature themes, layers of meaning in the text, sophisticated vocabulary, and diverse styles of writing. Confident readers in Year 3 and 4 may be able to borrow with this section with guidance and consultation from the librarian or class teacher.

Fiction Quick Reads

A collection of books which are suitable for struggling or reluctant readers in Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6).  They are high-interest but with a low level of reading ability. We also have dyslexic-friendly books located here.

Picture books

Non-fiction – organised into subject areas to help the children find a topic they are interested in.

Reference books

Poetry

Vistors and events

At Putnoe Primary School, we feel that children can be inspired to read and write through engaging with authors whose books they may have read. We hold both in-person, and virtual author visits; recently we have welcomed Jamie Hammond, Petra Hampshire and award-winning Megan Rix. The children thoroughly enjoy the time with the authors and come away feeling inspired and excited to read.

Megan Rix author visit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie Hammond author visit (World Book Day)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Petra Hampshire author visit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trips

We have enjoyed our trips recently, with Year 5 attending Booktastic Festival at the University of Bedfordshire. Year 5 were able to meet Sharna Jackson and receive a signed copy of her latest book, whilst also listening to the process behind writing the book. Sharna’s shared her inspiration for her writing. Year 1 also visited Putnoe Library, where they were given a tour of the library and were able to look at the diverse range of books available for them to take home.

Booktastic