Library

The Library at Chipping Norton School plays an important role in supporting all students to become confident independent learners and to develop a love of reading. As part of our continuing commitment to improve book resources we are constantly increasing and upgrading stock. Suggestions for book purchases are always welcomed.

The Library and Study Tube are open daily from 8.15 am until 4.15pm and students are welcome to read books, borrow resources or do homework during these hours. Students are also able to use the Study Tube computers to take Accelerated Reader quizzes during break, lunch and after school.

Each student is issued with a school identity card which also serves as their library card.

  • Sixth Form students are allowed to borrow 10 resources at a time for 4 weeks.
  • KS3 and KS4 students are allowed to borrow 5 resources at a time for 2 weeks.

Students can only borrow resources from the library by using their school identity card.

Students are able to borrow fiction and non-fiction books, DVDs and Audio books at no charge. No fines are issued for overdue loans; however, students may be asked to pay replacement costs for lost/damaged resources.

Homework Club

The library is open after school (Monday–Thursday until 4.15pm, Friday until 3.45pm) for students to come and complete homework. The Librarian is always available to help and is supported by two Learning Support Assistants on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.

Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader is a powerful online tool for monitoring and managing independent reading practice while promoting reading for pleasure. The aim of the programme is to motivate students to improve their individual reading abilities via regular reading practice and rewards for reading.

All Year 7, 8 and 9 students are encouraged to read non-fiction and fiction texts at their individual reading level for at least 20 minutes per day. Students are given time to read during the school day but are also encouraged to read at home.

After finishing each book students then complete an online quiz to show that they have successful understood the content of the book. The results can be monitored by teaching staff and parents via the HomeConnect module.

Reading Club

Book Clubs held in the library every Tuesday (Year 7), Wednesday (Chippy Chapters) and Friday (Year 8 +) lunchtime. Activities include shadowing the Oxfordshire Book Award and The CILIP Carnegie Book Award, meeting authors, book discussion and reviews, games and competitions. Readers of all abilities are welcome.

STUDENT HELPERS

The library offers opportunities for students to help manage the library during break and lunchtime. Students are trained to issue and return resources, shelve, prepare new books and organise book displays. If you would like to volunteer, please see the librarian.

LIBRARY NEWS

December 2020: We were delighted to be able to host the annual CNPS Lit Quiz for Year 5/6 pupils from our partnership primary schools. Ms Bovington, the CNS Librarian, tested the pupils with four rounds of questions on popular children’s books via google meets. The children all had impressive knowledge of books and the competition was fierce. In the end the winning trophy was presented to Great Rollright Primary School (top right), with Hook Norton and Kingham taking second and third place. All top three books received a box of wonderful books to enjoy in their schools.

March 2020: This year’s Book Week was the highlight of the year in the CNS Library with hundreds of students participating in a week of fantastic book-related events.
The Year 7s were delighted to hear a talk by Lauren St John, award-winning author of ‘The One Dollar Horse’, ‘Laura Marlin’ and ‘Wolfe and Lamb’ series of books. 

The Year 8s were treated to a VIP visit from poet, author, broadcaster and ex-Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen. Michael came to CNS (bottom right) to tell students about his latest book, ‘The Missing’. ‘The Missing’ is an account of his search to discover the fate of his two great-uncles, Martin and Oscar, who were murdered in Auschwitz Concentration Camp during World War II. Michael is an outstanding communicator and the talk and his book clearly describe the tragedy and cruelty of The Holocaust perfectly for young people.

November 2019: Reading Club attended this year’s Oxfordshire Book Awards at The Oxford High School, where they enjoyed listening to the winning and highly commended authors talking about their books. After the ceremony, the students were able to meet the authors in person at the book signing session.

September 2019: Award winning author, M G Leonard came to CNS (left) to talk to the Year 7s about her fantastic Battle of the Beetles trilogy. Afterwards she ran a creative writing workshop based on beetles for a selection of students from Years 8 and 9.