Library
A place where private study is encouraged and a love of reading is promoted
Mrs H Englefield BA (Hons), Dip Lib
Head Librarian
henglefield@colfes.com
Open from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, the Library can seat 70 students with a mezzanine floor and individual carrels which provide quiet study spaces. The space was refurbished in 2022 and is bright and light and very well used: before school, at break and lunchtime, and after school.
During the day the Sixth Form use the Library for private study, and all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have fortnightly Library lessons to promote reading for pleasure and encourage sustained reading. These year groups are also issued with Reading Passports which enable English teachers to monitor reading. Year 7 students take part in the Reading Round the World Challenge, and Year 8 students participate in the Reading Through Time Challenge, before the Year 9 Genre Challenge. Year 10 and 11 students have occasional Library lessons to encourage recreational reading.
The Library has a total stock of around 13,000 items. The Times and Guardian newspapers are taken daily, plus a range of magazines to support the curriculum and for general interest. There are eight computers linked to the school network.
A thriving weekly Library Club takes place during the winter and spring terms for Years 7 and 8. Colfe’s enters book quizzes and has recently had a remarkable run of success, both locally and nationally. The Library also hosts the House Jigsaw and House Battle of the Books competitions.
