Reading

​We aim to promote an enthusiasm for reading from the moment that your child enters Merryhills.

A love of books is supported by a variety of teaching methods beginning with a structured phonics programme in the early years of learning to read. One-to-one reading in school is crucial to the support of early development of skills and we value the supportive role of parents when reading at home. Guided reading is an integral part of our learning whereby children work in small groups with an adult and explore a text through lively discussion and exposure to thought –provoking questions. Our reading curriculum encompasses a wide range of both fiction and non-fiction including stories, playscripts, information books and poetry. All different types of reading material are valued including newspapers, programmes, recipe books and magazines. We have an impressive school library which stocks a comprehensive array of child-centred literature. Reading for pleasure underpins our Literacy curriculum as we prepare the children for a lifetime love of books.

Merryhills School Library

We are extremely proud of our library. It’s an inviting space with book stock that is regularly updated with lovely new books kindly donated by parents. Classes have a timetabled weekly visit to the school library where they have an opportunity to borrow a book for up to 2 weeks. We also help the children develop good library skills such as how to navigate the library and how to look after and be responsible for their loaned book. 

In order to make the library sessions run as smoothly as possible we need your help to encourage your children to return their library books on time. Children who forget their book or have an overdue book will be unable to borrow a new book until their outstanding loan is returned. Please bear in mind that in order to maintain and continually improve our fantastic library we will be asking parents/carers to pay for, or replace, any books lost by their child.

Below is the timetable for this academic year and any changes will be published here. Please help your children return their library books on time.

Mondays:        Cedar, Cherry, Pear    

Tuesdays:        Holly, Orange, Hawthorn, Chestnut, Oak, Sycamore    

Wednesdays:  Willow, Birch, Pine, Rowan, Elm, Beech, Fir        

Thursdays:      Apple, Hazel, Laurel, Maple

Fridays:           Lime

Overdue and lost books

Computer generated reminders are sent out to those children with overdue books on a very regular basis. These reminders are for your information only and not a request for payment. If your child has lost a book or has failed to return it after repeated reminders a letter will be sent out detailing the amount and you need to pay and the payment methods accepted. Please only pay for books if you receive a letter asking you to do so. Please be advised that our library system does not allow any further loans to borrowers who have an overdue item.

Library Catalogue

The School library catalogue system now has links to thousands of child friendly websites alongside our book stock. For example, a search for Rainforests will bring up not only all our books on rainforests but all the websites that Microlibrarian have vetted and approved on that topic too.  To make these websites as accessible as possible we are delighted to announce that parents and children can now browse the school database from home. Please use the link below to access our catalogue system.

Library Catalogue

You do not need to login to search the catalogue. Once on the homepage, type your keyword into the search box in the top right hand corner. This will bring up a new screen showing you what books we have in the library and any approved websites on the topic. The websites are clearly marked with a globe.  If you click on the globe you will get details of the website and the option to open it on a new page.

Parents thinking of buying Birthday Books for the library to celebrate their child’s birthday may find it useful to browse our stock to give them some ideas!

Birthday Book Gift

​To celebrate your child’s birthday, why not buy a book for the School Library! The book should be suitable for your child’s age group. Our Library Assistant, Mrs Harrison, will be sending out regular suggestions but would also be happy to advise any parents who are unsure of what to buy. Each donated book will be labelled with your child’s name on a special bookplate and a list of birthday books together with your child’s name will be displayed in the school. We will also publicise the Birthday Books in our school press releases. This scheme is entirely voluntary but we do hope that you will want to participate as not only is it a great way to introduce new books to the children, but the Birthday child is always very proud to see ‘their’ contribution to the library!

Reading Vision