Libraries

The Clifton High School libraries facilitate all pupils to access information and ideas, supporting intellectual enquiry that also encourages and develops an independent approach to learning.  

Mrs Rebecca Clear, Library Manager

It is within the Junior and Senior School libraries that pupils gain a true perspective of what our School values stand for. As we promote 'Curiosity, Empathy, Love and Direction' in School, they, in turn, discover these qualities within the pages of a book as they pursue knowledge, exercise imagination, and gain a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Both the Junior and Senior School library environments are warm and welcoming, offering a safe space for pupils to relax and read for pleasure as well as study and research. The walls of the libraries may be filled with books to inspire and engage, yet our dedicated team of librarians also seek to offer an exciting and varied programme of events that include clubs, in-person and virtual author visits. These have included Bristol Teen Book Award winner, Rachel Delahaye, trips to see the Bristol Teen Book Award ceremony, trips to the Redgrave Theatre to see award-winning American author, Jewel Parker Rhodes, storytellers, competitions and World Book Day activities, Dress Up parades and book fairs.

Three dedicated members of our Clifton High School Library Team, a professional Chartered Librarian with over 20 years of experience working in International, top UK Independent and Local State Primary Schools,  a postgraduate Librarian and an experienced Homework Room  Supervisor with many years of library experience, support the teaching and learning of the School as well as overseeing the Senior and Junior Libraries.

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READING CLOUD ACCESSIT LIBRARY CATALOGUE

All pupils at Clifton High School have access to the online catalogue, Accessit, where they can check their loans, search for books, write reviews, catch up with the latest library news, and reserve books. The catalogue can be accessed at School and at home.

Junior Library
The Junior Library is central to Wood’s House and is lined with bookcases overflowing with fiction, non-fiction, comics, and magazines for our Infant and Junior School pupils to enjoy. It has a home-from-home approach to offering a relaxed and cosy environment for pupils to settle down with a good book, graphic novel or the Beano, staffed by our team of enthusiastic Librarians.  Our Junior School Library offers: The Hive and Reception have one weekly library lesson where they read and select new books, listen to a story read by one of the Library staff and engage in book-related activities.  Years 1 to 4 have one library lesson a fortnight, where they read and select new books. Our Junior School pupils have the option to enjoy our Library at lunchtime. Year 5 pupils have the option to apply to be a Library Monitor to assist the Library staff at lunchtimes once a week. They also have a celebration party at the end of the year.
Senior Library
The Senior Library is open from 8.00 am, breaktimes, lunchtimes and after School for the Homework Room until 6.00 pm. It contains over 8,000 books, periodicals, newspapers and graphic novels. The pupils also have access to ePlatform, an e-book library which includes audiobooks, JSTOR online articles, databases and Pressreader for access to online newspapers and journals. It also offers pupil computers and a screen for presentations.  The Senior Library provides: Year 5 and 6 fortnight Librarian-led library and information skills lessons that enhance their love of reading and develop their research skills. Year 7 and 9 English reading lessons in the library for years 7 to 9 also support a lifelong love of reading in the pupils.  EPQ and HPQ bespoke information literacy skills for Sixth Form students to enrich their studies with the Library Manager.