INTRODUCTION

The Resource Centre is a key element in supporting pupils with their work. It provides information, assistance, plus a working area where pupils can study independently and teachers can hold classes. The Resource Centre is accessible to all pupils to enhance the curriculum and to provide resources in various formats for the facilitation of learning and the development of reading for pleasure. The Resource Centre will support other policies of Springfield School, especially: - Able Child, Careers, Curriculum, Differentiation, Equal Opportunities, Literacy, SEN and Homework.

AIMS

To provide a wide range of effective resources, which will enhance the teaching and learning aims of the school, namely, “Aiming for Excellence.”

To provide effective resources that help pupils to enjoy and achieve, feel secure, stay healthy, understand how they can make a positive contribution to their community and consider their future economic well-being.

OBJECTIVES

• To provide materials which reflect the spiritual, moral, cultural and diverse society in which we live.

• To help pupils develop independent learning skills, using all the facilities available in the Resource Centre, including reference stock and IT.

• To encourage pupils to borrow books to read for pleasure.

• To improve pupils’ analytical, investigative and reflective skills.

• To support the Key Stage 3 National Strategy and GCSE courses of study.

• To provide a flexible and stimulating learning environment.

• To ensure the resources are good quality, current and appropriate.

• To encourage the use of resources before, during and after school hours.

• To monitor use of the Resource Centre, using the computerised “Eclipse” system.

ACCESS AND OPERATION

• The Resource Centre encourages and promotes literacy and other key skills by the use of displays, thematic days/weeks, author/celebrity visits and the monthly meeting of The Book Club.

• The Resource Centre is open from 8.30am (Mon & Wed 8.45am) until 5.00pm (Fri 4.30pm) and for revision days in school holidays.

• Staff may book the Resource Centre for lessons.

• Resource Centre staff can provide materials and information for specific lessons if given advance warning. This includes, where appropriate, visiting speakers or artefacts.

• In order to borrow items, staff and pupils must be registered users.

• Year 7 pupils are given an introduction to the Resource Centre and all years are reminded of its use through school assemblies each autumn term.

• Pupils can use the Resource Centre during lesson time to independently study. On arrival at the Resource Centre, pupils must sign in for both monitoring and health & safety purposes. The teacher must fully complete the send out slip. Failure to complete the required information will result in pupils not being able to use the Resource Centre.

• Individual black and white and colour photocopying can be carried out by Resource Centre staff. Class sets of photocopies should be made on an alternative photocopier.

• As part of citizenship, pupils are encouraged to participate in the work of the Resource Centre. A team of pupil librarians is selected to help the Resource Centre library assistants. The opportunity to be a pupil librarian is open to all and appropriate training is given.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

• The Resource Centre provides a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books and other materials. Non-fiction covers all areas of the curriculum and includes a reference-only stock. The Resource Centre also offers a wide range of fiction appropriate for all reading abilities. This stock is chosen in consultation with school departments, pupils and the School Library Service.

• The RC team prepares an annual bid for resources in line with all other curriculum areas.

• PCs with Internet access, word processing and other software are connected to the main curriculum network.

• A TV, video player and DVD can be used in the Resource Centre or borrowed by teachers for classroom use.

• A cassette/CD player/DVD player can be used by pupils and borrowed by teachers.

• Careers books, HINTS folders, leaflets and displays with current information are provided.

• Games which support numeracy and literacy are available for use at lunchtime, after school and for loan.

MONITORING

• The Resource Centre Manager is responsible for the day to day running of this facility and management of the budget.

• The annual Resource Centre Development Plan containing success criteria can be used to evaluate set targets.

• Resource Centre meetings are held according to the published calendar, with a representative from each subject. Discussion includes the continued development, auditing and monitoring of the Resource Centre.

• An Annual Audit is conducted by the School Library Service with a comprehensive written report available to governors.

• Relevant statistical analyses are compiled by the “Eclipse” system. Borrowing and overdues are tracked on a weekly basis and an annual return is made to the School Library Service every March, indicating statistics such as the books borrowed per pupil.

Review Date: Spring 2008