Birchwood Library and Resource Centre

Mrs Gibson is our Library Resource Manager and is responsible for the overall management of the Library.

A small team of Student Librarians assist in keeping the Library organised and tidy.

Library from Mezzanine Floor

The Library offers an interactive platform, via the Reading Cloud online cataloguing system, for students to read, write and publish book reviews. Please click on the Reading Cloud button to the right – this will take you straight to the school library homepage. All students and staff have unique log-on details – these are required in order to submit a review, renew or reserve an item.

For more information please contact Mrs Gibson jgibson@birchwoodhigh.org.uk

Reading Cloud

Welcome!

The library is used by students and staff for:

  • Individual study
  • Research/Information literacy
  • Reading for pleasure
  • Events
  • Paired Reading

Opening Times

  • Monday:         8:15-8:45am and 3:05-4:15pm
  • Tuesday:         8:15-8:45am and 3:05-4:15pm
  • Wednesday:   8:15-8:45am and 3:05-4:15pm
  • Thursday:       8:15-8:45am and 3:05-4:15pm
  • Friday:             8:15-8:45am and 3:05-3:45pm

The library is open to all students during the times above.
It is also open for reading or silent study to all year groups during morning break (Monday-Friday) and during lunchtime (Monday-Thursday).
Sixth Form students can access the library at anytime for private study during the school day.

Resources

  • A range of non-fiction and fiction books
  • 8 networked computers with Internet
  • Library catalogue and loan system
  • Printer, scanner and photocopier
  • Audio books and DVD’s
  • Careers Information

Latest News

National Poetry Day

Birchwood celebrated National Poetry Day in style yesterday when hip-hop author, poet and rap artist BREIS visited the school. BREIS ran a series of fun and interactive sessions with students from
Years 8 & 9. Students looked at the correlation between rap lyrics, poetry and composed their own rap songs. Each session concluded with a performance of the student’s work.

Summer Reading Challenge

Over the summer holiday we will be asking students (and staff) to send in photographs of themselves reading books in weird and wonderful places. The more obscure the better.

If you find yourself reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on a visit to Cadbury World, Messi at the Charity Shield match or Billie Eilish – From E-Girl to Icon at a music gig simply take a selfie and send it to Mrs Gibson in the Library jgibson@birchwoodhigh.org.uk.

The best photo as chosen by a panel of independent judges will win a bag of goodies including a £10 Waterstones voucher.

BB is pictured reading his favourite book ‘A Boy and a Bear in a Boat’ by Dave Shelton, whilst on holiday at Birchwood High School.

Mrs Gibson, Library Resource Manager

Just the ticket!

Students celebrated 25 years of World Book Day by finding Golden Tickets which had been hidden around the school site. The activity, which was based on Roald Dahl’s classic book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was organised by English teachers Miss Long and Ms Cuddington and Librarian Mrs Gibson.
Mrs Gibson, who is a keen advocate of reading for pleasure in order to raise literacy standards among children and young adults said “The school ran a number of activities throughout the day but it was the Golden Ticket challenge which really got the students buzzing. They were extremely excited and eager to get involved. Students from all year groups took part and visited the library to exchange their ticket for a free book and chocolate. World Book Day 2022 will certainly be remembered for a long time to come by students and staff alike”.