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The Open Learning Centre / Library

 

Open Learning

The Open Learning Centre is open from 8 am until 4.30 pm (2.30 pm Fridays) and is available for research lessons, reading for pleasure, independent research and private study.  The OLC is a central part of teaching and learning within the school, extending and enriching learning by:

Building excitement and celebrating reading

We value the importance of reading for pleasure; for the development of literacy skills, vocabulary, knowledge and imagination.  We have been named a ‘Reading Connects School’ by the Literacy Trust and aim to encourage and support readers by:

• Providing access to a broad fiction section
• Celebrating reading events and initiatives; such as the The Carnegie Medal, The ‘Key Stage Three’ Birmingham Book Awards and ‘meet the author’ events
• Running an enrichment programme which teams up Year 7 and Year 12 readers.

Readers can also access and contribute to a wealth of reading activities, competitions and book reviews on the Open Learning Centre pages of the VLE.

Developing independent learning skills

We aim to introduce learners to a wide range of media in order to support personalised learning. Resources in the OLC include books, newspapers, magazines and journals and we encourage the use of online encyclopaedias, online newspaper articles, educational games, podcasts and online videos in order to research and learn in the OLC and at home.

The ‘Open Learning Centre’ section on the VLE directs students to reliable and relevant websites by subject and introduces learners to fun websites, treasure hunts and games to inspire further research. Learners are supported in the use of all resources and guidance for each tool is available.

Year 7 classes will have a fortnightly timetabled lesson in the Open Learning Centre, where they will undertake a VLE based Independent Learning course to develop their research and functional reading skills. During this lesson, students will also be encouraged to select and read fiction books from our wide ranging stock and take part in drama based reading activities.

Maintaining a strong student voice

Student involvement ensures the OLC is relevant for students’ wants and needs. We take student opinion and recommendation on board and actively encourage student voice through suggestion boxes, online surveys and the Student Council.

Students are able to apply for different roles in the OLC; Pupil Librarians, Internet Researchers and IT Assistants. Each pupil helper follows a structured training programme in order to provide a positive and invaluable contribution to the OLC.