Welcome to the SHFGS Library
Your space for learning, discovery and finding a moment of calm.
Our Mission
The library is here to support every student, every step of the way:
Resourcefulness: We support all areas of the curriculum by ensuring students have the exact resources they need to thrive.
Reflectiveness and Resilience: We offer a calm, quiet study environment. This provides a focused space for all students, particularly our Sixth Form during free periods and exam preparation.
Reciprocity: We encourage a love of reading for pleasure. We believe that engaging with great books builds great minds and fosters a collaborative learning community.
Respect: We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.
Library Opening Hours
Monday to Fridays 8am - 5pm
Weekends - Closed
What You'll Find in the Library
- 7000+ physical books across fiction and non-fiction - perfect for both study and escapism.
- Seating for 100+ students in our modern, light-filled study space with wide desks and comfy chairs.
- The Read Retreat – a soft furnished and device-free area to truly switch off and read.
- Our online catalogue using the Libresoft system . Students can use their usual Google Classroom login details to gain access.
- JSTOR Subscription to the online resource website JSTOR. Giving the 6th form students and staff a fantastic resource for academic journals, papers, and articles - ideal for research, EPQs and coursework.
The e-platform, our digital library giving the students access to hundreds of ebooks and audiobooks, anytime, anywhere.
- The Bookworm, our termly newsletter keeping our students up to date with what's happening in the Library. New arrivals, competitions, student reviews, and more.
- Printing, scanning, photocopying - all available to students. Simply ask IT for a personal printer code.
- Designated Sixth Form PCs, fully connected to the school network, with access to the internet, scanner and printer.
- Twice-yearly Scholastic Book Fairs with the latest titles available to buy.
- ‘Discreet borrowing’ - if you would like to loan a book in the library, but prefer not to take it out at the desk, drop us an email and we will pop it behind the desk. Ready to collect when you are.
- Vibrant and creative displays promoting books, school events, and wellbeing tips.
- Careers corner with uni guides, pamphlets, and advice—plus our Career Lead’s open-door support right inside the library.
- KS3 enjoys twice yearly Tutor Reading Time in the library. The change of environment, along with a more relaxed atmosphere, helps to engage and inspire our young readers.
- Library induction. Each Y7 form group has a designated library induction session during the Autumn term. Designed to welcome the new students and show all the facilities available to them, while showing that the library is an open and inclusive space for all students.
How to Become a Student Librarian
Our student Librarian Assistants are an important and valued part of the Library. Helping to keep the library running, offering recommendations, assisting with displays and running some of the popular lunchtime clubs we hold.
Each September we give the opportunity to all students to apply for this role. Each assistant is asked to give up just one lunchtime a week, more if they have the time.
If you are passionate about books and interested in making new friends this could be the perfect job for you. Keep an eye out in the student bulletin for details on how and when to apply. Spaces are limited so make sure you don't miss out.
Borrowing a Book
It’s easy, just follow these steps:
Step 1: Browse our shelves or ask your friendly librarian for help or a recommendation
Step 2: Bring your book to the desk - we’ll scan it and check it out under your name
Step 3: Enjoy! Take it home, read and relax
Our loan period is 3 weeks with a chance to renew after this if you still haven't finished. You can loan up to 3 books at any time. We will send you handy email reminders when your book is due back and you can simply pop it in the library drop off point when you’re finished.
All students and staff are added to our Libresoft system from day one. You can log in through Google Classroom to browse the catalogue, reserve titles, and check due dates - no extra passwords required.
Library Resources Collection
We organise the library into two main sections: Fiction and Non-fiction.
Within the Fiction section, books are further grouped by genre, making it easier for students to find stories that match their interests and encourage a love of reading. These are also categorised by age, with guidance labels (e.g. 13+, 14+, 15+) displayed on the spine, based on industry recommendations.
The Non-fiction section is organised by subject area. Each subject within the national curriculum that is taught in school, has a designated space, allowing students to locate resources quickly and easily. We provide a range of up-to-date revision guides and subject textbooks. In addition, we hold EPQs from the past five years, which students can access as exemplars to support them with structure and comparison in their own work.
For further information on how we curate our library resource collection, please refer to the Insignis Trust Library Framework.
Library Code of Conduct
In order to keep our space peaceful and productive we ask our students to follow the code of conduct below whilst in the library.
- A silent study space. This helps create a calm and focused environment where students can read, complete homework, or work on coursework during break, lunch, and before or after school.
- To help us look after the space, food and drink are not permitted in the library, with the exception of water.
- Gaming is not permitted in the library, which includes platforms used for homework. Please complete gaming homeworks at home or in the courtyard.
- The soft seating area - The Read Retreat - is now a device-free zone for students who wish to enjoy reading in a calm and comfortable environment.
- No music. For our sixth form students only we allow the use of headphones while studying. We ask the students to keep headphones on low so not to disturb other students.
- No phones. Students need to ask for permission from the librarian if they need to use their phone to contact home after school.
Accessing Resources in the Library
Please click here to access resources in the library.
