In This Section

• > Communications
• > Science and Engineering
• > Creative and Expressive Arts
• > Mathematics and Computing
• > Social Sciences
• > Learner Support
• > Chaplaincy

Learning Resource Centre

The information provided here will give you an idea of what we aim to achieve our school Learning Resource Centre, how we went about setting up the facilities here and the plans we have for the future.

Providing resources to support teaching and learning in school

Since the school opened our LRC has been transformed from an empty room, to a hive of activity at the centre of the school. Caroline Richards is the school librarian, and has overseen the development of the LRC. By May 2008 we had acquired, catalogued and organised a stock of around 9000 items.

Out stock covers a wide range of formats and purposes, and is still growing, with input from staff and students. Staff are asked each year to provide information about subjects being covered and changes to the curriculum being taught. Year 7 students are asked to produce a ‘Mind map’ of their interests and reading preferences when they join the school, and students can make recommendations or requests at any time.  Resources are ordered regularly so there is always something new to read.

Fiction:                      

Around 3700 items, including a quick reads section, graphic novels, picture books, and fiction in Spanish and French. The ‘Senior’ collection is aimed at students in Year 10 and above.

Non Fiction:              

Around 4500 items. This collection supports the curriculum, but also reflects the wide range of student interest. Around 60 of these items are reference only, the rest are available to borrow.

A/V resources:          

Around 100 items, mainly fiction audio books on CD, but also some non fiction. We have a few DVDs but are looking to expand this collection in the near future.

Periodicals:              

A range of magazines, plus daily local and national newspapers. The magazines are mixture of academic publications requested by departments and leisure reading suggested by students.

ICT:                            

The 8 PCs in the LRC are all networked so can access all resources that are available via the school intranet. We have subscriptions to online resources to assist students with research, and other resources can be access via local public libraries.

Connexions:             

The Connexions / Careers library is held in the LRC. The local Connexions team keep these materials up to date.

Staff:                          

A small staff development collection is also maintained. Staff are also encouraged to borrow from the main collections.

Promoting and Encouraging LRC Use

All members of the school community are welcome to use the LRC. Of course their needs can be very different, and this impacts on the way in which the LRC is used during the course of the school day.

Access:          

The LRC is available for students before school, at lunchtime (when a pass system is in operation), and after school. At these times students can use the resources for doing homework, can enjoy the opportunity to come and along and read the books and magazines, or can use our collection of board games and puzzles.

Lessons:       

Teaching staff and other colleagues can book the LRC for use by classes and small groups during lesson time, or can send students along to work independently.

Departments:           

Use by departments varies so the LRC helps to support a wide range of curriculum work from science research lessons new GSCE courses (topics including designer babies, pollution) to putting together project loans for GCSE textiles on hat design.

Student Librarians: 

One group of students who are essential in the LRC are the student librarian team, who are trained using a pack provided by Sunderland Schools Library Service. The group helps with a variety of day to day tasks and there is always a waiting list of students who would like to join the team.

Encouraging an Interest in Reading

The LRC is involved in a range of initiatives and activities which aim to encourage students to read for pleasure.

Book Club:       

Our school book club is called Bede’s Reads and was started in September 2005. Up to 20 students meet in the LRC every other week. In the last year we have discussed favourite books, played games, been involved in book awards, and watched films.

Y7 lessons:      

All Year 7s have regular English lessons in the LRC. They take part in a range of activities, many of which aim to encourage them to read, and to read more widely. At least half an hour each week is spent quietly reading. Students are encouraged to maintain a record of books they have read.

Author visits:   

We have been visited by a several authors, who have worked with a range of year groups. These have included Steve Barlow & Steve Skidmore, Caroline Pitcher and Cliff McNish

Events:             

The LRC has been the focus of a whole range of activities and quizzes which often tie in with special events like World Book Day, National Poetry Day etc. In the past we have taken groups of students to participate in the international Kids Lit Quiz, and a small group of Y7 readers recently took part in the North East Book Awards presentation evening in early 2008.

Book Fairs:      

We have hosted several book fairs which have a been a great success in terms of encouraging students to buy and borrow books, as well as raising the profile of the LRC and the English Department.

Tutorial Time:  

Students are encouraged to have a book to read in tutorial time at the end of the school day. Each tutor group has been provided with a book box by the English department, but the LRC has been able to supplement the selection, especially by providing material for students who prefer to read non fiction.

Enabling students to acquire information skills

Resources in the LRC are organised so that students can be as independent as possible when using the facilities. All students have an induction lesson when they join the school in Year 7. This covers the basics of LRC use, gives them chance to explore the resources available and become familiar with LRC systems and procedures. The skills involved in finding and using information successfully are reinforced during any subsequent lessons that take place in the LRC during a students’ time in school.

Our LRC catalogue is available on the school network, so that students on any PC in the school can able to search for resources, check their own borrowing records, reserve book etc.