SWHS Library
Our Library is a friendly and welcoming place which supports and develop pupils' learning, where reading for pleasure is encouraged.
The library is run by the Trust Librarian, Mrs Frohawk. Students can use the library during break and lunchtimes as well as after school for quiet reading, independent study or join one of our Dare to Dream Clubs or Prep Club every Monday to Wednesday.
The library has an ever-increasing stock that incorporates everything from the latest prize-winning fiction to material that complements the curriculum.
A wide selection of magazines and First News are purchased every month, to support learning and encourage reading for pleasure at every level.
Students and staff are welcome to request items for stock at any time by speaking to Mrs Frohawk.
Resources include:
- A wide range of fiction and non-fiction books
- IT facilities
- Revision resources
- A comprehensive library system, Accessit, which can be accessed from home, so students can check when their books are due back or reserve books.
The SWHS Library opening times:
| Monday | 8:30am - 4:00pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am - 4:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 4:00pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am - 4:00pm |
| Friday | 8:30am - 4:00pm |
Library Events and News
BookBuzz: A Celebration of Reading for Pleasure
For the past two years, our students have had the exciting opportunity to take part in BookBuzz, an initiative run by the Book Trust. This program is designed to inspire and engage students in Year 7 and Year 8 by introducing them to a selection of 16 carefully chosen books.
Each year, Book Trust handpicks books that captivate young readers, and students get to watch videos of the authors promoting their chosen titles. In addition, we incorporate fun activities during library lessons to deepen the students' connection with the books. Once the students have explored the options, they select which book they would like to receive.
To top off the excitement, the books are distributed just before Christmas, allowing our students to enjoy their new books during the festive season. It’s always a highlight of the year, and we’re thrilled to continue this wonderful reading experience.
Click the icon below to see which books our students had to choose from!
Trust Poetry Slam: A Year to Remember
Last year marked the inaugural Trust Poetry Slam, where students from schools across the Trust gathered at SWHS to compete in a dynamic and creative word competition. The event showcased incredible talent as students performed their poetry with great enthusiasm and energy, leaving a lasting impression.
We were honoured to have Steven Camden as our special guest judge and performer. His engaging performance and insightful feedback captivated both the students and staff. The positive response was overwhelming, so much so that we invited Steven back in September to meet our new Year 7 students. They were thrilled to connect with such an inspiring figure in the world of poetry!
In January 2025, it was my honour to host the second Trust Poetry Slam at SWHS. We had over 100 students from our schools taking part in the Slam, with students as young as Year 1 contributing to the competition. It really was a fantastic event, and I am already making plans to ensure our annual event is bigger and better next year; watch this space!
A huge thank you to our Judges and Special Guest Judge, author and poet John Berkavitch, who wrote a poem during the event, based on the themes and poetry our students performed, it was stupendous!
Year 6 Transition & Library Program 2024
During our Year 6 Transition Days, all students were introduced to the library and informed that they would have a library lesson every two weeks. This is a key part of our literacy plan, designed to foster a love for reading, both for pleasure and purpose.
As part of our commitment to inspiring young readers, all Year 6 students across our Trust were gifted Everything All At Once by Steven Camden to enjoy over the summer. In their first term of secondary school, they had the exciting opportunity to work with Steven himself; an extraordinary poet and author, ensuring an unforgettable experience!
Fun fact: Steven’s publishers ran a special print just for our students, the books were literally hot off the press!
Harry Potter Book Day: October 2024
In October, we celebrated Harry Potter Book Day with a magical day of activities for our students! They had a blast creating and colouring in some amazing dragon eggs (thankfully, no dragons hatched in the library!).
Students also got creative making pom-pom Pygmy Puffs, unscrambling names of mystical beasts, and learning all about how to care for magical creatures. It was a day filled with fun and imagination, perfect for our avid Harry Potter fans.
Click the icon below to find out more about the activities our Harry Potter fans enjoyed!
Celebrating National Poetry Day 2024: Poetry in Your Pocket!
Students enjoyed an exciting celebration on National Poetry Day 2024, marking its 30th anniversary with the theme Counting, a perfect fit for such a milestone! As part of the festivities, staff were encouraged to share their favourite poems with students. Additionally, students had the unique opportunity to leave each English lesson with a Poem in Their Pocket. They were able to take home a beautiful poem to enjoy throughout the day.
It was a wonderful way to celebrate poetry, inspire creativity, and spark conversations around the power of words.
Click the icon below to find out more about National Poetry Day!
Carnegies Event 2024
To celebrate the Carnegie Awards, students were invited to join our Carnegie Shadower Book Clubs. Avid readers explored the shortlisted books for both the prestigious writing and illustration awards.
Each week, we gathered to discuss the books we’d read, sharing our thoughts on the powerful themes, captivating writing, and stunning illustrations.
In recognition of our students’ hard work, our Shadowers from each school came together at Lancaster Academy’s library to discuss our findings, vote for our favourite illustrated and written books, and then streamed the live award ceremony. When the winners were announced, we celebrated and compared our choices with the official winners.
We’re eagerly awaiting this year’s shortlisted books and can’t wait to dive into the latest selections!
Click the icon below to read all about the fabulous books we enjoyed!
Celebrate World Book Day at Our Library – Thursday 6th March!
It's that time of year again, and we're thrilled to celebrate World Book Day in the library! This year, we’re hosting three fun and exciting competitions to make the day extra special for everyone!
- Catch My Pet Reading: Some of our amazing staff have teamed up with their clever pets – but there's a twist! Some of the staff are in disguise, and some are in plain sight. Your challenge? Name as many staff members as you can based on their pets reading with them! The tutor group with the most correct answers will win a fantastic prize. Deadline for entries is Monday 10th March.
- Name the Book Villain: Do you know your book villains? In your tutor group, guess the names of the dastardly villains from popular books. Submit your answers for the chance to win a prize for your group and prove that you're a true literary expert! Deadline for entries is Monday 10th March.
- The Book That Represents Me: This competition is open to students from Year 3 to Year 8. What book best represents YOU? Think about your personality, interests, or experiences and find a book that reflects it. You could win some amazing prizes – so make sure to take part! The competition will launch during your library lesson, and the deadline for entries is Friday 14th March.
Make sure to get involved and show your literary spirit! We can’t wait to see your entries and celebrate all things books with you!
Click the icon below for more information:
Scholastic Book Fair is Coming to SWHS!
As part of our World Book Day celebrations, we're excited to host a Scholastic Book Fair at SWHS! From Tuesday 11th March to Monday 17th March, you'll have the chance to browse a fantastic range of books and find your next favourite read.
Here’s how it works:
- Visit the Book Fair: The Book Fair will be open during school hours. Come and explore a variety of exciting titles!
- Order Books Cashlessly: As we are a cashless school, you can’t buy books directly with cash. To place an order, simply visit the Book Fair and speak with Mrs. Frohawk or one of our Library Ambassadors.
- Receive a ParentPay Slip: After placing your order, you’ll receive a ParentPay slip. Take this home to show your parent or carer, who can then complete the payment via ParentPay.
- Book Collection: Books will only be distributed once we’ve received a receipt from ParentPay confirming your purchase.
It’s the perfect chance to stock up on books for yourself or to find that perfect gift for someone special! Happy reading, and we can’t wait to see you at the Book Fair
Meet Our Amazing Library Ambassadors at SWHS!
The library at SWHS is more than just a space for reading, it’s a vibrant hub of learning and creativity, and at the heart of it all are our incredible Library Ambassadors. These students are the true champions of the library, volunteering their time and energy to make our library an even more welcoming and dynamic place.
With their positive energy, relentless ambition, and passion for helping others, our Library Ambassadors are the unsung heroes of the library. They support in so many ways, including:
- Running events that bring the library to life
- Cataloguing books and resources
- Issuing and returning materials for their peers
- Offering assistance and guidance with library queries
- Tidying shelves and keeping everything organised
They are positive role models who make a real difference in our school community, creating a space where everyone can thrive.
Want to join our team? If you're interested in becoming a Library Ambassador and contributing to the positive energy in the library, speak to Mrs. Frohawk today!
Accelerated Reader and Digital Resources
Welcome to the digital library at South Wigston High School.
We have, not only books on the shelves but also, a range of online resources to support students’ learning. These can be accessed at home via a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Students have a unique username and password, given during their library lesson. If they have any problems accessing the websites, please email the Librarian at: SWH-Library@southwigston.lwlat.org.uk
Accelerated Reader
Students in Year 7 and Year 8 visit the library once every two weeks to choose new books and access Accelerated Reader (AR). This is an online reading programme which helps the librarian, and teachers monitor students’ independent reading practice and progress.
Students pick a book within their Reading Range and read it at their own pace. When finished, students take a short quiz using a computer; passing the quiz is an indication that the student has understood what has been read.
Students are encouraged to read for twenty minutes each day; this will give them plenty of time to complete their book of choice. Each student’s progress will be shown when they achieve their Point’s Target, read at or above their Minimum Book Level and pass quizzes at 85%. This has the immediate reward of DNA points and prizes and the long-term advantage of improving the fundamental skill of reading.
Renaissance Place ID: RP-17647465
Click the icon to start quizzing!
Accelerated Reader BookFinder
Reading at home is just as important as reading in school. If your child is reading at home you can use BookFinder to check important Information about their book including the book level and point’s value, helping to track their progress and reading achievements.
There are over 30,000 books with Accelerated Reader quizzes. Students can check whether a book they are reading has a quiz by searching for it, click on the BookFinder icon below to get started:
Accelerated Reader HomeConnect
As a parent or carer of a student who is accessing Accelerated Reader, you can check their progress against their termly targets, how they are performing on quizzes and see what books they have quizzed on. This is a unique feature embedded within the programme, you can access this by signing in using your child’s unique username and password, given to them during their library lesson, then submit your email address and keep up to date with their reading habits.
Click the icon to sign up to HomeConnect:
MyOn
This is an innovative book platform that students can use to gain access to over 4,000 books and 10,000 news articles, it also links with their Accelerated Reader account and ensures they are reading books within their Reading Range. They will need to use their unique username and password, given to them during their library lesson, to access their MyOn account.
Click the icon to access your MyOn account:
Accessit
Each student has access to a personal Online Library Account, which can be accessed using their unique username and password provided during their library lesson. Through their account, students can browse available books and resources, reserve books for future reading, check their current loans and due dates, write book reviews and share their thoughts, create personalized reading lists to track their favourite books.
The SWHS Accessit homepage is filled with engaging content, including exciting activities related to the world of children’s literature, upcoming library events and reading groups, information about the Dare to Dream clubs held within the library during lunchtime and after school.
Click the icon to explore a world of books, stories, and inspiration!
ePlatform by Wheelers
Students can unlock a world of knowledge and adventure with SWHS’s ePlatform Digital Library! Stocked with a superb collection of audiobooks and eBooks, our ePlatform is carefully curated to support and inspire learners from Year 7 to Year 11; from timeless classics to contemporary must reads. There are handpicked titles to support education and personal growth, offering a dynamic and enriching reading experience that evolves with our students.
Start your reading journey today and discover the joy of literature with our free digital library! Download the app or scan the QR code to launch the app and use this set-up code 5273:
Health and Wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing Information Point, Reading Well and Shelf Help
An area of the library is set aside to promote general health and wellbeing. The area has been well received by both staff and students with students using the area independently and staff requesting resources to help support teaching and learning.
Free sanitary supplies are also available to our female students as part of a national initiative P=RIOD Equality https://www.phs.co.uk/about-phs/period-poverty which is funded by the Department of Education and supported by PHS Group. Call into the library and speak to Mrs Frohawk, you can be assured of a discreet conversation.
For more information please click on the icon above.
Reading Well for young people recommends expert endorsed books about mental health, providing 13 to 16-year-olds with advice and information about issues like anxiety, stress and OCD, and difficult experiences like bullying and exams.
The books have all been recommended by young people and health professionals, and are available to borrow from SWHS Library, they can be found in the Shelf Help section, or ask Mrs Frohawk to show you.
Click on the icon for more information.
Teen Health: 11-19 Service at SWHS
We're excited to offer a fantastic support service for our students here at SWHS! Every Wednesday at lunchtime, Sam, our wonderful Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Officer, runs a drop-in service in the Intervention Hub. This is your opportunity to speak to Sam in a safe and supportive environment.
Whether you need someone to talk to about emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, or just want advice on making healthier choices, Sam is here to listen and help you navigate life's challenges.
How to Access the Service:
- Drop-in: Pop by the Intervention Hub during lunchtime on Wednesdays and have a chat with Sam.
- Referral: If you prefer, your Head of Year can refer you to Sam for support.
This service is here to help YOU feel supported, safe, and empowered.
For more information or to make a referral to the Teen Health 11-19 Service, click on the icon below.
Reading Graduation
SWHS library is excited to launch its brand-new Reading Graduation initiative with our students. The objective is to promote a love of reading among students in Year 7, 8 and 9; to improve literacy levels by encouraging students to read a set number of books by 27th June 2025, and at the end of the programme there will be a graduation ceremony and party to celebrate their achievements.
There will be a wide selection of books students can choose including themes and genres such as adventure, contemporary, historical, true-life inspired, fantasy, thriller, award winning titles and non-fiction. Each student must complete a set number of books before the summer term ends and complete a reading passport or graduation log.
There will be monthly reading challenges, weekly meetings, creative writing workshops, peer mentorship, monthly themed lunches to celebrate reading milestones, writing book reviews and enjoy story telling sessions.
Students will be a part of the Carnegie Shadowing book group, reading the shortlisted titles, take part in discussing their favourite books and then represent SWHS at the Carnegie event at a Trust school watching the live stream of the award ceremony in June.
If you would like to take part in this brand-new initiative, meet like-minded students and enjoy reading, register your interest with Mrs Frohawk at: SWH-Library@southwigston.lwlat.org.uk
Nicola Morgan: Expert on Teenage Mental Wellbeing and Health
Nicola Morgan is one of the most respected authors in the field of teenage mental wellbeing and health. Mrs. Frohawk has had the privilege of hearing Nicola speak in person and has also thoroughly enjoyed attending Nicola’s webinars, which consistently leave audiences inspired and informed.
Recently, Mrs. Frohawk attended an insightful webinar and was fortunate enough to win a copy of one of Nicola’s books, dedicated to everyone at SWHS. The book focuses on the importance of getting a good night’s sleep, a challenge for both children and adults alike.
Why not borrow this outstanding book from the library and get a head start, especially with Exam Season approaching?
"Late nights, addictive technology and minds racing with exam stress and friendship worries, it’s no wonder the teenage stereotype is tired eyes and sleeping through the weekend. Just like adults, teenagers are sleeping less now than ever before, yet sleep is crucial to our health and well-being".
Click the icon to check out Nicola’s website for more information.
Dare to Dream
Local Library
At SWHS, we value the importance of reading and have strong relationships with local public libraries. We encourage all students to explore and take full advantage of the wide variety of services available to them, including:
✔️ Access to thousands of books across different genres.
✔️ E-books and audiobooks for on-the-go reading.
✔️ Study spaces and research materials to support learning.
✔️ Community events, book clubs, and workshops for all ages.
Visiting your local library is a great way to expand your reading journey beyond the school library! Check out your nearest library and start exploring today:
South Wigston Library:
Blaby Library:
Wigston Library
Oadby Library
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