Library

At the heart of the new Christie Centre, the Oxley Library is a bright and busy space overlooking the main School Quad, where pupils and staff come to research, study and learn.

Pupils can come together in the Library to engage in discussion, collaborate and work together. The Library offers a stimulating research base to encourage independent learning and makes reading a positive alternative to more frenetic free-time activities.

Surrounded by study decks and classrooms, the Library is a busy and well-used facility. With the Olivier Hall and Willows Café just below, and the quiet of the peaceful Roe Reading Room above, pupils have flexible workspaces available to them for all types of learning – be it contemplative study or lively debate. The Library is fully wireless and pupils are encouraged to come in with their laptops.

The Library is home to around 8,000 non-fiction books, providing research material in all academic subjects. All of the books are available to loan for pupils at all times, whilst 18 magazines covering a wide range of interests are also provided, as is access to a range of online magazine and newspaper archives on top of various databases and websites for academic research. The link with the public library service also means that pupils have access to more than 940,000 additional titles.

Alongside 2,700 fiction books, the Library provides a dedicated foreign language fiction section, allowing pupils to develop their skills in French, Spanish or German. There is also a substantial and popular graphic novel section available, housing over 650 books in a variety of genres and artistic styles.

A selection of The Malcolm Oxley Collection, a 4000+ collection of Art History books donated by Malcolm Oxley for whom the Oxley Library was so named, can be found on the mezzanine floor of the Roe Reading Room.

During term time the Library is staffed between 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 1.15pm on Saturdays. The Roe Reading Room is supervised by a teacher between 7-9pm and can be used by Sixth Form pupils for prep during this time.

For further information please contact Sarah Eldred, Head Librarian (tel: 01865 319 248).