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 during social times and before and after school.

Students may use the PC’s for research and homework whilst the library section offers a separate room to sit and read or do homework. Both of these areas provide students with a peaceful environment.

We are a school that loves to read. We passionately strive to promote, engage and enthuse students 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), Student Book Club, Parent and Pupil Book Clubs and a Staff Book Club too.

If you would like to request a book or you would like to recommend or suggest a book for our school library, please simply e mail sellsmore@dormston.dudley.sch.uk with the details.

Students must send e mails from their school e mail account only please.

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...

Book Clubs

STUDENT BOOK CLUB 3.10pm – 4.10pm

Mon: Year 9

Tues: Year 7

Wed: Year 8

New members are always welcome and students may join at any time throughout the school year. Please see Mrs. Ellsmore to join.

PARENT AND PUPIL BOOK CLUB

Just 20 minutes reading per day can have a massive impact on your child’s progress, understanding and vocabulary. Parent and pupil book club is an exciting opportunity to read alongside your child and we would love our parents/carers to be reading role models and sign up and take part. We read a variety of genres that we think will be enjoyed by both parents/carers and students. Copies of the books, suggested questions and discussion ideas are all provided.

The next meeting for all year groups is Monday 2 October 2023 6pm in the PLC.

Parents and Pupils are welcome to join at any time during the year. Please email Mrs Ellsmore to book a place.

Parent and Pupils can still take part even if they are unable to attend the meetings. Please email Mrs. Ellsmore to book your place or for more information.

STAFF BOOK CLUB

Staff meet approximately every six weeks on a Tuesday at 4pm in the PLC. Staff can join at any time throughout the year and can also take part without coming along to the meetings.

Some of our favourite titles so far are: Madam Burova by Ruth Hogan, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. We are loving author Mike Gayle and have thoroughly enjoyed The Man I Think I Know, Half A World Away and all the Lonely People. On our list is his latest title, The Museum of Ordinary People.

HOMEWORK CLUB 3.10pm – 4.00pm

This is available for all students every night after school. There is always a member of staff available to offer support and guidance.

Official Book Awards

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/awards-and-prizes/current-prizes/blue-peter-book-awards/#!?sortOption=AtoZ&pageNo=1&pageSize=16

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://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/awards-and-prizes/current-prizes/sainsburys-childrens-book-awards/

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-lists/21-exciting-scottish-childrens-and-ya-books-coming-in-2021

https://ukla.org/awards/ukla-book-award/

https://www.waterstones.com/category/cultural-highlights/book-awards

Dudley Children's Book Awards

Shortlist to be announced December 2022.

The Dudley Children’s Book Award is designed to encourage young people to read regularly and more widely and to try books they might not usually choose.

Dudley Borough secondary school librarians work with their pupils by reading and nominating books (which must have been published in the current year and are not a sequel or part of a series) to produce a longlist of books. The librarians from the schools that take part then discuss the choices and decide on a short list of 7 books. The aim is for pupils to read all, or as many of them as they can.

The nominated authors, staff and students who have taken part are invited to attend a celebration event, hosted by our school in The Dormston Mill Theatre. This well respected annual occasion will begin with pupils being able to choose and buy books before settling down to listen to talks and presentations given by the authors. There will be time for question and answers followed by the much anticipated announcement of the winning book and author. The afternoon will conclude with refreshments, a chance to meet the authors, to have books signed and photographs taken.

Creating lots of excitement for the love of reading and generating fantastic book discussions, this is our very own local book shadowing opportunity that goes from strength to strength each year and we welcome and encourage all our pupils to take part.

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

https://www.hayfestival.com/wales/books-to-inspire.a

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

www.barringtonstoke.co.uk
Excellent site for books for dyslexic and reluctant readers

www.booktrust.org

www.whsmith.co.uk