29 November 2024
Libraries are the academic heartbeat of a school – and newer, purpose-built schools often place them at the physical heart too. Either way, they should have access to both a wide range of books and other learning resources, as well as providing a comfortable, inspiring space to read and study – all overseen by a first-class librarian. In no particular order, here are some of the best…
Bedales School
The spectacular arts & crafts Memorial Library was designed by Ernest Gimson and built in 1921 to commemorate OBs who died in World War I. Heavy on oak and arranged in neat, sympathetically furnished bays, it is home to over 26,000 books and seemingly infinite periodicals. Unusually, it is unrestricted and older students are trusted without supervision. All very Bedales.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Bedales School
Wellington College
Parents say a large part of this school’s success is that it lives comfortably with its layers of history without being overwhelmed by them. This certainly rings true with the Mallinson Library, which was re-developed in 2012 to provide a contemporary, hi-tech learning resource space, with everything from small glass pods to larger study rooms. There’s a sunlit conservatory and outside beanbags too.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Wellington College
Hitchin Boys’ School
So good is this librarian that one parent told us she emails her for ideas for her sons’ Christmas presents! On the day of our visit, the 18 pupil librarians (all ages) poured in at break, proud of their badges and keen to nurture their allocated shelves and help select stock. We loved the ‘banned books bingo’, dyslexia-friendly texts and e-books – and there’s a lovely stained-glass window.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Hitchin Boys’ School
Cheltenham College
The vast Chatfeild-Roberts Library is a jaw-dropper. ‘Historic but not stuffy, and frankly one of the nicest we’ve seen with chunky oak tables, armchairs and sofas, chess sets, half-made jigsaw on a stand and a fantastic Waterstones-like display of once-banned books (with some fascinating explanations),’ says our reviewer. Offers book clubs, author visits, twilight reading sessions, academic support and pastoral guidance.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Cheltenham College
Stephen Perse Junior School Dame Bradbury’s
This enchantingly interior designed space is set under the branches of a bright green model tree. The best seats and secret shelves of books’ are hidden inside the trunk, our guides whisper, ‘but you have to take off your shoes first’. E-books and audio books are also available via the Sora app and authors visit regularly (recently Ben Miller) to inspire good reading habits.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Stephen Perse Junior School Dame Bradbury’s
Stonyhurst College
‘The library in main use has a very grown-up feel, but the other ancient historical libraries are something else,’ says our review. ‘The fact that students have seminars in these rooms must set the tone for high achievement.’ All three libraries have undergone restoration, with the main space modern and bright and the ancient, museum-like libraries boasting the likes of a First Folio of Shakespeare.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Stonyhurst College
Godolphin & Latymer
We’d happily have curled up with a book in this recently redeveloped two-storey, open-plan, well-stocked library that’s beautifully designed with huge bean bags, trendy tables and a mass of blond oak, glass, plants and fresh flowers. ‘Very hygge,’ as our reviewer says. A level students told us their parents were jealous of the sheer number of magazine subscriptions.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of Godolphin & Latymer
The London Oratory
Literally the centrepiece of the main school building, the library is set in a bright glass central atrium and overseen by the staircases and classroom corridors. We love the glass pods of different sizes where small group work takes place and found the stock ‘rich with intellectual ambition – many of the books here are university standard’.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of The London Oratory
King’s Hawford School
This Worcester prep school’s library is housed in a converted double-decker London bus and it’s so popular that when a teacher says the words ‘All aboard!’ they are met with loud cheers. Fostering an environment where literature is both accessible and fun, the library bus has over 2,500 books (including 500 new books in the last 18 months), catering to various age groups and reading levels and has plenty of comfy nooks for reading.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of King’s Hawford School
St Mary’s Calne
This dynamic stand-alone, two-storey library opened in 2020. Located in the centre of the school, it is modelled on an orangery, its beams mimicking branches, with tree-like columns and a floating roof. Other highlights include the relaxing, interactive spaces, plus teaching zones, project rooms, breakout-rooms, multi-media room, silent areas ‘book nooks’ and outside terrace.
Read The Good Schools Guide review of St Mary’s Calne
Other standout schools for libraries include Cheltenham Ladies College, Shrewsbury School, Stowe School, TASIS England and Winchester College