The Personal Learning Centre and Library
The Personal Learning Centre & Library (PLC) is managed by Mrs Ellsmore with the invaluable help of a team of trained, dedicated and enthusiastic pupil librarians. We aim to provide a safe, friendly and welcoming environment in which pupils are given the space and materials to read, study, research and learn.
When pupils enrol at Dormston they automatically become members of the PLC which offers them the following facilities:
- 36 computers which are all connected to the school’s network
- A large selection of fiction books available for all secondary school ages and reading abilities and in a variety of formats which include audio, large print, dyslexia friendly, graphic novels and quick reads
- A large selection of non-fiction books which support the curriculum
- Fiction and non-fiction reads to develop pupil’s cultural capital in curriculum subjects
- A selection of daily newspapers and magazines
- Careers information
The PLC is popular and well used throughout the school day. Teachers book the facility for lessons and the PLC can be used as one room or can be sectioned off to separate the computer area and library area as necessary. It is designed to meet the needs of each individual child with lift accessibility if required.
This is a lovely facility where pupils can work in a quiet and calm environment and is open for them to work independently:
- Before school - 8.00am - 8.40am
- Morning break - 10.45am - 11.00am
- Lunch - 1.00pm - 1.40pm
- After school - 3.00pm – 5.00pm
During these times, the PLC is divided into two separate rooms. Pupils may use the PC's for research and homework in the computer side whilst the library section offers a separate room for pupils to sit and read or do homework peacefully.
DUE TO CURRENT COVID RESTRICTIONS THE PLC IS NOT OPERATING AS A DROP IN FACILITY
We are a school that loves to read. We passionately strive to promote, engage and enthuse pupils to enjoy books and to nurture in them, a lifelong love for reading.
Running throughout the year we provide activities, opportunities, events and celebrations to enjoy, including: author visits, literature trips, Dudley Children’s Books Awards, inter-school book quizzes, competitions, National Reading Day and World Book Day celebrations, book fairs, book and film nights, book reviewing, extra curricular books clubs, (see the book clubs tab for more details), Parent and Pupil Reading Group and a Staff Book Club too.
Pupils and Parents/Carers can view our library catalogue via the link below.
https://dormston.oliverasp.co.uk
Students are not able to access their own library account from this link but should browse the catalogue and e mail all book requests to Mrs Ellsmore, sellsmore@dormston.dudley.sch.uk
If you would like to request a book that is not showing on the catalogue or you would like to recommend or suggest a book for our school library, please simply e mail with the details.
Students must send e mails from their school e mail account only please.
Students may also request books by completing a paper format BOOK REQUEST slip, which can be obtained from Form Tutors.
Book Clubs
LUNCHTIME BOOK CLUBS
Tuesday | Year 7 in A5 |
Wednesday | Year 8 in F1 |
AFTER SCHOOL BOOK CLUBS - currently not running due to Covid 19
Monday | 3pm - 4pm - Y7 Book Club. A brand new club that starts each September for Year 7 pupils. |
Tuesday | 3pm - 4pm - Y8 Book Club |
Wednesday | 3pm - 4pm - Y9 Book Club |
Each book club is different .
New members are always welcome and may join at any time throughout the school year.
Official Book Awards
Click the links below for more information on the Official Book Awards
https://www.booksaremybag.com/
https://branfordboaseaward.org.uk/
https://carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/
https://www.costa.co.uk/behind-the-beans/costa-book-awards/welcome
https://www.thediversebookawards.co.uk/
https://www.foyles.co.uk/Books-of-the-Year-2020
https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/lollies
http://www.oscarsbookprize.co.uk/
https://ukla.org/awards/ukla-book-award/
https://www.waterstones.com/category/cultural-highlights/book-awards
Dudley Children's Book Awards
Book and Reading Sites
Please remember that books you find on these sites can be borrowed from our Personal Learning Centre & Library
https://www.scholastic.co.uk/
www.lovereading4kids.co.uk
Particularly helpful information on the ‘browse by age’ tab
www.fantasticfiction.com
Brilliant for finding the order of books in a series
www.barringtonstoke.co.uk
Excellent site for books for dyslexic and reluctant readers
Reading Lists
Reading lists (Whilst we promote the above sites, school cannot be held responsible for your child’s activity whilst on - line. Please can we remind you monitor your child’s devices regularly. To support the National Safer Internet Day (9th February) students will receive an assembly next week which will reinforce messages around keeping safe in an online world.)
https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/
Online Reading Lists (Literary Classics)
Suggested reading lists for work from home
https://www.hayfestival.com/wales/books-to-inspire.a
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/28/best-childrens-and-teens-books-of-2020
https://www.lovereading4schools.co.uk/ - Our favourite site for book browsing by age or by topic and books can be selected by Key stage or age. You can read an extract too.
https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-lists
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/our-recommendations/best-new-books/
https://penguin.co.uk/articles/children/2019/apr/must-read-books-for-9-12-year-olds.html
https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/browse-by-age
Literature/ Book/ Poetry Festivals
Book celebrations
Literature Festivals - Annual
http://www.wolvesliteraturefestival.co.uk/ (Jan/Feb)
https://www.hayfestival.com/home (May)
https://www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org/ (Oct)
https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/ (Oct)
https://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/ Winter weekend scheduled for 20th-22nd Nov 2020
https://lichfieldliteraturefestival.org/
https://bathfestivals.org.uk/childrens-literature/
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/imagine-childrens-festival
Poetry Festivals
http://vervepoetryfestival.com/
https://www.poetry-festival.co.uk/ (July)
Public Libraries
Dudley Library https://capitadiscovery.co.uk/dudley/ho
Wolverhampton Library https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries