Welcome to our Library!
Reading is a high priority at Academy@Worden and in 2023, the school invested in a purposeful, brand-new library, stocked with over 4,000 of the latest books to interest and encourage pupils to read for pleasure and develop a love of books. The relaxed and tranquil atmosphere has become a safe haven for learning, creativity and exploring literature, where all pupils are welcome, either to read or study. We are very proud of our library and the role it plays in the day-to-day life of Worden.
The library has a wide range of new and exciting high-quality fiction, including best sellers by renowned authors that will appeal to everyone. All fiction books are organised in to genres; from classics to mystery, fantasy to horror, young adult to novels in French! The list is endless! Non-fiction books, not only support academic studies but also helps our pupils learn more about the world and people around them, across all subjects, and are organised using the Dewey Decimal System. Stock is constantly updated and pupils are encouraged to complete a ‘Wish List’ slip to request any books they would like to read and to ensure the stock remains current.
Our collection also includes quick reads, graphic novels, poetry, revision guides, careers information and college prospectuses. We also stock a range of magazines, including The Week, which is an award-winning, fun-to-read magazine that inspires a love of reading and encourages our pupils to think for themselves. We aim to make sure the library is accessible to all pupils and ensure that our stock reflects both our readership and current issues of importance such as LGBTQ+ and Mental Health.
In the library, we promote reading for pleasure with regular displays, competitions and activities. Reading for pleasure has been shown to not only improve literacy skills leading to improved academic outcomes but also enhances concentration, focus and general wellbeing. We also observe special events and seasonal celebrations throughout the year, including Pride Month, Black History Month and Mental Health Awareness Week. In 2024, Worden staff enjoyed participating in the Masked Reader as part of World Book Day.
The library also works very closely with the English Department. Pupils in Year 7 and Year 8 have a weekly timetabled library lesson where both the school librarian and English teachers support pupils with their reading. Pupils learn how to navigate and use the library, how to develop their own strategies for selecting books, as well as exploring different authors and genres. They also look at texts in-depth through peer discussion, independent, and paired reading, as well as guided reading of non-fiction texts which support learning in other areas of the curriculum. They listen to short stories read by the teachers and make book presentations to their peers, as well as recording their weekly learning in a Reading Log.
Meet the Librarian Team
Our school librarian is Mrs Knight, who supports and assists all pupils and staff. We also have a dedicated team of ten trained pupil librarians in Years 8 +, who play an active role in the running of the library, and in promoting reading in general. They are fully trained in using the Abracadabra Library System, as well as carrying out day-to-day library duties. We also invite pupils completing their Duke of Edinburgh to volunteer in the library, as part of their award.
Opening Times
The Library Club is open for ALL pupils at lunchtime, 1.20pm – 1.55 and after school 3.05 – 4pm, every day. As well as reading, there is the opportunity to play games, carry out research, complete mindfulness colouring, as well as the library being a quiet space to revise or complete homework. Pupils and staff, can borrow one book, for up to three weeks, and this can either be renewed or returned during normal library club times. Pupils are encouraged to value books and are responsible for the books they borrow. Any lost or damaged books need to be paid for.
Genre Tracker
In the library, pupils are encouraged to engage with stories from various genres, in order to expand insights into different cultures, perspectives, and life experiences, as well as improving knowledge and overall comprehension skills. Our very own Worden ‘Bookworm’ badges are awarded to those pupils who, during their time at Worden, continually read a broad range of books from genres across the tracker.
Library Loyalty Card
The school library runs a loyalty scheme, which is open to all pupils. Every time a pupil completes a whole book read; they receive a stamp. Once a card is complete, they may choose a small prize. Completed cards also lead to valuable House Points and a special draw at the end of every term.
Recommended Reading
In the library we have Book Genre of the Month and Library Book of the Fortnight. The school librarian and English staff are always happy to make recommendations! Pupils are also persuaded to share and discuss their reading, in order to inspire others and are able to recommend the next ‘great read’ by filling out a slip.
Book Fair
Our annual Scholastic pop-up book fair features over 200 book titles, especially chosen for the secondary age range by specialised staff. Our book fair usually happens in Autumn term.
Coram Beanstalk
At Worden, we run the Coram Beanstalk Reading Leaders programme, in the library, every lunchtime. This initiative helps some of our Y9 pupils to develop their skills by becoming a reading mentor to our Year 7 pupils, who then benefit from having a role model who champions reading skills and confidence!
Lancashire Book of the Year
Lancashire Book of the Year is the longest running young people's regional book award in the country and remains one of the few book awards in which young people themselves are solely responsible for choosing both the shortlist and the overall winning book. It is a valuable opportunity for our Year 9 pupils to not only read the latest releases but to meet pupils from other secondary schools and vote for the overall ‘Best Book.’
Sparx Reading
Sparx Reader is a reading, comprehension and vocabulary programme that encourages reading regularly to help improve their literacy and motivates them to read for pleasure, and is completed for homework. Pupils take a test and then they choose a book according to their level. Sparx Reader will regularly check their understanding of the story throughout the book by asking question based on comprehension of the text they are reading. Pupils are rewarded points by reading carefully and over time, their literacy and reading abilities will improve. Pupils always have a choice in what they read. The e-book library has a range of modern fiction books, as well as classic stories. Once pupils reach the gold level, they have autonomy over the text they choose; they can add their own books from home too. Tasks are personalised based on each student's reading ability so that every student can be successful with their reading. The books that a student can choose from are carefully chosen so that the text is accessible yet suitably challenging. In addition, daily vocabulary puzzles are also available so pupils can discover and practise new words presented to them in context. Contextual definitions are provided for any unknown words a pupil comes across during reading and over time, this will support pupils develop their vocabulary. Teachers monitor progress closely and can focus on those that need intervention and support.
Further Information
There are now a large number of good websites, including the National Literacy trust, Book Trust and Goodreads, which are full of useful information and allow you to read book reviews and keep up-to-date with new book releases.
For further information on how to support your child’s reading please follow this link; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-top-tips-to-encourage-children-to-read/10-top-tips-to-encourage-children-to-read; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-top-tips-to-encourage-children-to-read/10-top-tips-to-encourage-children-to-read
Recommended Reads
This year our library has a fantastic curriculum section with recommended reads from each of our departments. Our teachers have selected a range of books that are fantastic reads for pupils wanting to gain further knowledge about their subjects. Here are the books English have chosen and why: 'Detectives and young adventurers' by Agatha Christie - a bumper compendium of classic short stories to enthrall our readers and encourage them to venture into mystery novels. 'Stories of your life and others' by Ted Chiang - a wonderful insight into humanity by an award winning author, this book blends realism with science fiction and fantasy. 'Selected Stories' of O. Henry - a classic collection of 'twist-in-the-tale' short stories, each with an elegantly written sting in the tale! 'Storm Child' by Ele Fountain - another superbly inspiring novel from an author enjoyed in our Y7 study of 'Boy 87'. This year our library has a fantastic curriculum section with recommended reads from each of our departments. Our teachers have selected a range of books that are fantastic reads for pupils wanting to gain further knowledge about their subjects. Here are the books Geography have chosen and why: "World Without Fish" vividly illustrates the impact of overfishing and environmental neglect. Through engaging storytelling and visuals, it highlights the importance of marine ecosystems, making it useful for geography pupils to understand human-environment interactions. "Sapiens: A Graphic History" by Yuval Noah Harari simplifies complex themes of human evolution through striking illustrations. This accessible format helps geography pupils grasp the interconnections between geography, culture, and history, enriching their understanding of human progress. "Touching the Void" by Joe Simpson is a gripping true story of survival in the Andes. Its exploration of extreme environments, human resilience, and geographical challenges provides valuable insights into adventure geography and the relationship between humans and nature. "Prisoners of Geography" by Tim Marshall uses maps to explain global political and economic issues. By revealing how geography shapes international relations, this book equips geography pupils with a fundamental understanding of the world's history and landscapes. This year our Library has a fantastic curriculum section with recommended reads from each of our departments. Our teachers have selected a range of books that are fantastic reads for pupils wanting to gain further knowledge about their subjects. Here are the books Maths have chosen: This book contains 125 of the world's best brainteasers from the last two millennia, taking us from ancient China to medieval Europe, Victorian England to modern-day Japan, with stories of espionage, mathematical breakthroughs and puzzling rivalries along the way. Some solutions rely on a touch of cunning, others call for creativity, others need mercilessly logical thought. All are guaranteed to sharpen your mind! Can maths be creative? This book sets out to prove that it can, through a selection of short articles on surprising maths in everyday life. Through lots of intriguing problems, involving card tricks, polar bears and, of course, socks, Rob Eastaway shows how maths can demonstrate its secret beauties in even the most mundane of everyday objects. In this book are twenty more curious puzzles and fantastical mathematical stories from one of the world's most popular and accessible writers on mathematics. This is a strange world of never-ending chess games, empires on the moon, furious fireflies, and, of course, disputes over how best to cut a cake. Each chapter - with titles such as, "How to Play Poker By Post" and "Repealing the Law of Averages" - presents a fascinating mathematical puzzle that is challenging, fun, and introduces the reader to a significant mathematical problem in an engaging and witty way. Illustrated with clever and quirky cartoons, each tale will delight those who love puzzles and mathematical conundrums. An exploration of surprising ways maths occurs in our everyday lives, centred around five famous unsolved problems in mathematics. Topics include how to detect an art forgery, winning strategies in Monopoly, and how to crack a code. Sprinkled with games and links to interactive online content so you can try out some of the ideas for yourself! This year our library has a fantastic curriculum section with recommended reads from each of our departments. Our teachers have selected a range of books that are fantastic reads for pupils wanting to gain further knowledge about their subjects. Here are the books Religious Studies have chosen and why: Summary: This is a young adult novel about a Muslim girl named Aaliyah who faces Islamophobia after a terrorist attack. As she navigates hate, bullying, and her own identity, the book explores themes of resistance, solidarity, and the importance of speaking out against injustice. Benefit for Pupils: It provides pupils with a contemporary and relatable story about prejudice and identity. It encourages empathy, cultural understanding, and resilience in the face of discrimination, all critical for pupils developing awareness of social justice issues. Summary: This book introduces children to key philosophical questions and ideas. It covers various topics from ethics, politics, and existence, making complex ideas accessible and engaging for young readers. Benefit for Pupils: Philosophy encourages critical thinking and reflective questioning, which are essential skills for pupils. This book offers a starting point for discussions about the big questions in life, helping pupils learn to question, reason, and understand diverse perspectives. Summary: This book offers a broad overview of the history of religion, from ancient spiritual beliefs to the world’s major religions today. It’s an accessible read, explaining how religion has shaped cultures and societies throughout history. Benefit for Pupils: Understanding the history of religion helps pupils appreciate its influence on culture, ethics, and politics. This book could broaden their worldview, helping them understand the diverse religious beliefs they might encounter in a multicultural society. Summary: This book explores the history of Jewish communities in Britain, from medieval times to the present. It covers cultural, social, and political aspects of Jewish life in Britain and highlights the challenges faced by the community over time. Benefit for Pupils: In a British context, it’s important for pupils to understand the history and contributions of Jewish people to society, as well as the challenges of antisemitism. This can foster awareness of diversity and promote tolerance. Summary: This book explores the development of religious belief and practice over time, considering the social, psychological, and cultural factors that have shaped religions throughout human history. Benefit for Pupils: It would be useful for pupils in understanding how religions evolve, providing a scientific and sociological lens. It encourages them to think critically about the development of religious beliefs and their role in human history. This year our library has a fantastic curriculum section with recommended reads from each of our departments. Our teachers have selected a range of books that are fantastic reads for pupils wanting to gain further knowledge about their subjects. Here are the books Science have chosen and why: This book, co-written by TV physicist Professor Brian Cox, makes complex quantum mechanics accessible and fascinating, breaking down the "weirdness" of the quantum world into understandable concepts. It connects abstract ideas to real-world phenomena and will help you see the relevance of quantum physics in everyday life. Written by an astronaut, this book takes readers on a journey through space, answering big questions about the universe in an exciting and engaging way. It is packed with illustrations, charts, and diagrams, it makes complex ideas easier to grasp and is visually stimulating. This book uses captivating stories to explain the periodic table, making chemistry fun and relatable. It ties the elements to historical events and figures, providing a broader context to help make learning more interesting. Bill Bryson's writing is known for its humour and clarity, making scientific concepts enjoyable and easy to understand. This book covers a wide range of scientific topics and will spark your curiosity about the natural world and the history of scientific discovery. Richard Dawkins presents the theory of evolution in an easy-to-follow manner, which can help you understand and appreciate the evidence for natural selection. The book will challenge you to think critically about the origins of life and the complexity of biological systems.
Detectives and young adventurers 
Stories of your life and others
Selected Stories 
Storm Child .jpg)
World Without Fish
Sapiens: A Graphic History
Touching the Void
Prisoners of Geography
Can you Solve my Problems? by Alex Bellos
How Many Socks Make a Pair? by Rob Eastaway
How to Cut a Cake: and Other Mathematical Conundrums by Ian Stewart
The Number Mysteries by Marcus du Sautoy
Fight Back by A.M.Dassu 
Philosophy for Beginners by Rachel Firth
A Little History of Religion by Richard Holloway.jpg)
Britain’s Jews by Harry Freedman
The Evolution of Religion by Alex Shelby
The Quantum Universe by Jeff Forshaw and Brian Cox:
The Cosmic Diary of Our Incredible Universe by Tim Peake:
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Keane:
A Really Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson:
The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins:
