The Learning Resource Centre/Library (LRC)

Aims
The main aims of the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) are to support both the academic and leisure needs of its users and the ethos and objectives of the school, and to maintain and encourage an enthusiastic reading culture within it.

Location and Resources
• The LRC is situated on the first floor of the A Block in our new campus styled school and has a stock of some 17,000 printed items including several periodicals and newspapers.
• Our resources support students from Year 7 up to the 6th Form.
• We have 12 networked desktop computers and 30 laptops with printers, and a colour photocopier.
• It is a spacious, well used area, able to accommodate two classes and a number of groups and individuals at the same time – and frequently doing so. Numbers through our doors last year topped 760 in one day.

Opening Hours
The LRC opens at 8.15 each morning and closes at 4.20 from Monday to Thursday (3.00 on Friday). We also open at morning Break and most lunchtimes.

Supporting the Curriculum
• Our resources are used by classes, groups and individuals from all subject areas and of all abilities, including our G&T students.
• Each Year 7 class is timetabled for one lesson a week in the LRC during which we run a number of orientation, research and information skills lessons, followed by either reading or lessons from our Year 7 Activity Booklet.
• Many other Year Groups will often book us too, though some also have regular bookings lasting half a term.

Enrichment  and Enhancement
The LRC offers a number of activities, currently:
• Advanced and other Reading Groups from 8.20 – 8.50 four mornings a week
• Kate Greenaway Shadowing – 8.20 – 8.50 Wednesday mornings
• Chess Club on Wednesday lunchtimes – this is supervised by two teachers who also teach and develop skills among the students participating. It is an excellent activity to develop logical thinking
• Sudoku Club also on Wednesday lunchtime with a member of the LRC staff – excellent for both logic and numeracy
• Homework Club from 3.00 till closing time Monday – Thursday each week with extra staff (Teaching Assistants) helping students with their Homework

In addition to these regular activities, the LRC produces quizzes and competitions regularly throughout the year, invites authors to talk about their books, and participates in and sometimes hosts the Lewisham Book Award set up some years ago by our secondary school librarians, as well as the Lewisham Book Quiz, modelled on the Kids Lit Quiz, and in which many Lewisham schools compete against each other.

LRC Team
The LRC is staffed by a qualified Librarian, a Senior Library Assistant, and two Library Assistants who job share:
• Ms C. Sivajnanam – Librarian
• Ms W. McIsaac - Senior Library Assistant
• Mrs L. Baxter- Library Assistant
• Mrs J. Ford - Library Assistant