The Library

The College Library and Sixth Form Resource Centre provide an attractive, engaging and effective reading resource and information service to all pupils and staff.

The College Library on the first floor of the main school building was part of the original Benedictine Priory Chapel. It was consecrated in 1843 and continued to be used as a place of worship until 1967 when it was deconsecrated by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. With its stunning ‘Death of St Benedict’ mural, intricate carved ceiling and stained glass windows it makes an inspirational site for the College’s award-winning Library

The Library is open every day from 8.30am to 4.55pm. It is used as a place for lessons, talks, silent study and of course for reading for pleasure. It has a large selection of fiction and non-fiction books and DVDs and is run by professional library staff.

The Library plays an active part in College life running engaging activities for pupils at the school, from World Book Day to the Carnegie Awards Shadowing Scheme, the National Reading Quiz to the weekly Pupils’ Book Club as well as arranging author visits that have included the likes of Tom Palmer and Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Then in 2018 the College’s Library was awarded the prestigious Gold Award by the School Library Association, an award that recognises the work of school libraries and their librarians across the country in raising literacy levels, educational achievement and promoting a love of reading.

The Sixth Form Resource Centre is situated in the Sixth Form Centre and allows for silent independent study during the school day. Students have access to a wide variety of subject related resources and reference materials as well as periodicals and magazines.

Shortly after it opened the College’s Sixth Form Resource Centre was one of only five schools to be long listed for the School Library Association’s 2017 Inspiration Award, an award that is given to school libraries that shows inspiration and resourcefulness in their library design and use.