The School Library
Our library offers a warm and welcoming space at the heart of our school where students are invited to unwind with a good book, study independently and join in with clubs and activities.
We house a large collection of fiction books that include best-selling novels, manga, comics and dyslexia-friendly titles. Our non-fiction collection is also extensive and supports our curriculum subjects as well as providing entertaining texts on students’ interests.
Students can borrow up to four books for a period of three weeks. Books can be renewed if they are not overdue or reserved by another student. We don't charge fines if books are overdue, but we ask that they are returned on time as other students may be waiting for them.
The library is open every day at lunch and break times. Our wonderful team of student librarians are on hand to issue books, receive returns and make recommendations. We’re also open after school for Homework Club. At other times during the school day, the library is available to sixth formers for independent study and also plays host to English lessons for Years 7 and 8.
Throughout the year, the library provides a variety of activities to engage students in bookish fun and encourage both keen and reluctant readers.
Harry Potter Book Day 2025
Harry Potter Book Day celebrations: Visit from actor, Robert Wilfort
As part of our Harry Potter Book Day celebrations, students were treated to a lunchtime talk by our visiting celebrity actor, Robert Wilfort. Here is Rose and Venice’s (Year 9) report on Rob’s visit:
“Rob is best known as Jason from Gavin and Stacey, but he’s also Rita Skeeter’s photographer in the film ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. He said he enjoyed it and had the full Harry Potter experience including meeting Hedwig and Hagrid’s dog, Fang, along with all the famous actors. Daniel Radcliffe, who was around 14/15 at the time, would mostly only talk about music! Rob told us that when they filmed the final task in the Triwizard Tournament, he accidentally bonked Alan Rickman on the head with his camera and received a terrifying Professor Snape stare! It was amazing to hear all about life on the set of Harry Potter. We really enjoyed meeting Rob!”
Huge thanks to Rob for enthralling and inspiring us Harry Potter fans!
Harry Potter Book Day celebrations: Hogwarts House Quiz
This year’s annual Harry Potter quiz took students on a trip down Diagon Alley where they were challenged to various tasks in the different shops. Devised and hosted by our very own master of magic, Professor Wilson, the quiz proved more fun than any game of quidditch! Here’s Ela’s (Year 9) summary of the event:
“The long-awaited day came as we all gathered in our decorated library. Mr Wilson began explaining to us about what we had to do, from stacking ice-cream sundaes in Florean Fortescu’s to navigating our way through Gringotts’ maze of tunnels! The lunchtime ended with a blast of green confetti announcing that Slytherin house had won, and then chocolate frogs and Berti Bott’s Every Flavour Beans were handed out. The experience was amazing!”
Bookbuzz
Creating a buzz about books!
We’re excited to be offering all Year 7s the chance to choose a free book as part of the BookTrust’s Bookbuzz programme which, this year, is being generously funded by the ASA.
During library induction lessons, students have been able to choose their free book from 16 Bookbuzz titles. These include a number of award-winners plus dyslexia-friendly and graphic novels. Together, we’ve watched author videos about the 16 books and have talked about the types of books the students enjoy reading.
Bookbuzz is proving an excellent way to encourage book talk and increase reading motivation. Students now have a short wait until their chosen Bookbuzz books arrive, during which time they can borrow all the other Bookbuzz books from the library!
For more information about Bookbuzz and the full list of 16 books available, check out the BookTrust’s website HERE
Author visits
Opportunities to meet authors are a powerful means to engage students with books. Last year, Year 7s were entertained by multi-million bestselling author, Chris Bradford, when he visited Amersham School and performed a Samurai sword display as part of his talk about his Young Samurai books. We also welcomed Carnegie Medal winner, Tia Fisher, who spoke to Year 9s about the shocking story behind her book, Crossing the Line. And to mark the refurbishment of our library, we were fortunate to have Carnegie-nominated author, Adam Connors, visit us and share with us his writing journey. Furthermore, a number of students met thriller writer, Sue Wallman, when attending the Bucks Book Award ceremony. Lots of opportunities to be inspired by the brains behind our favourite books!
