Library

The library at Harris Academy Bermondsey offers a huge range of books as well as access to computers and printing facilities. We also help students with iPads. Read our latest library and literacy blog posts to find out more about what’s happening.

Library opening times

Before school 8.00am-8.25am

Break time and lunch time

After school Monday and Friday. The library is open from 3pm to all students. Students must leave via reception by 4pm or wait until 4.45pm to be escorted offsite.

After school Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. The library is open from 3pm for years 7 and 8. Students must leave by 3.15pm or stay in the Library until 4pm. From 4pm-4.45pm the library is open to all students.

You can borrow two books at a time for 14 days. If you can’t find the book you’re looking for, just ask us and we’ll order it in. If you lose a book, please write a letter to explain and/or make a donation towards the purchase of a replacement.

Recommended reading lists

Parents asked us to create some lists of recommended books for their daughters, so we've done just that. We hope they provide inspiration for anyone looking for a great book to read next.

• Great books for Key Stage 3 students
• Books to hook readers who aren’t sure what to read
• Books to stretch and challenge readers - 10 classics to read before you are 16
• Year 8 book suggestions

There's more to come, so watch this space...

Literacy Lions

Our Literacy Lions are Year 8 students who mark peers’ work for capital letters, apostrophes and full sentences. Our Literacy Lions are chosen because they are confident about grammar and we also train them in techniques to help them support other students.

Reader Leaders

Our Reader Leaders are girls who help younger students with their reading. Reader Leaders are trained in phonics and comprehension and help girls in years 7 and 8 with their reading during tutor time. The results can be dramatic. “There are students who have made two years reading progress in one year,” says Amy Morris, Head of Learning Innovation.

Audio library

We’ve asked some of our most book-loving students to record extracts from their favourite books, to encourage all students to enjoy reading. The recordings are made in the HAB audio studio. Listen to our students reading from their favourite books.

Spoken Word events

Our Spoken Word events are a platform for HAB girls to share their outstanding creative writing. Students, teachers and parents are all invited to the regular showcase events, which also include music and singing. “We have some fabulous writers here at HAB and we want to give the girls a regular platform for sharing their work,” says Ms Morris.