The ECS Library

“The school library is without question the most important room in the entire school, because it contains – or used to contain, or should contain – books that are not required for examination purposes-Books that no one might expect to find. Books on every subject under the sun. Books that some teachers don’t even know are there… 

But the library should be the heart, the soul, the mind, the source, the spring, the gold-bearing seam, the engine room, the treasure chamber, the priceless inheritance, the joy and the pride of the school. Every school.” 

Phillip Pullman 

We support students and staff across two campuses, with one library located in Cambridge and the other in Bury. Our libraries provide welcoming environments for study, research, and collaboration. Both sites are designed to ensure students feel comfortable, supported, and able to engage fully with their learning.

Any queries please contact: ECSLibrarians@edact.org.uk

The library provision supports reading and learning through a well-stocked collection of fiction and non-fiction texts that are closely aligned with the curriculum. Students benefit from safe, inclusive, and supportive learning spaces that encourage both independence and collaboration. Reading assessments are used alongside structured guidance across fiction, young adult literature, and revision materials to help develop confidence and progress. The libraries also offer research skills sessions and independent study support, as well as dedicated Sixth Form study periods. In addition, a reading buddy programme is in place to encourage reading development and peer support.

Students benefit from a wide variety of educational visits and enrichment experiences designed to extend learning beyond the classroom. These include visits to the British Library, author workshops, and guest speaker events. There are also trips to Alexandra Palace for BiblioBuzz events, excursions to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, and educational visits to Green Park. Students additionally take part in visits to Waterstones bookshops and trips to the Science Museum, all of which help to inspire a love of reading and learning.

The library hosts a diverse range of events and celebrations throughout the year to engage students and promote literacy. These include World Book Day activities, spelling bees, and writing competitions. The programme also features competitions linked to events such as Black History Month and PRIDE, as well as participation in BiblioBuzz. The library further runs themed awareness events and regular features such as Author of the Month and Book of the Week to encourage ongoing reading engagement.

The library environments are designed to inspire creativity, engagement, and effective study. They include both quiet and collaborative study spaces, alongside creative displays and showcases of student work. Students have access to a range of resources including laptops, Chromebooks, PCs, and headphones, as well as magazines and periodicals. Digital resources are also available, including eBooks and online academic databases, ensuring that students can access learning materials both on campus and remotely.

Students are encouraged to take part in a variety of enrichment clubs and activities that extend their interests beyond the curriculum. These include the Handwriting Club and Harry Potter Club, as well as opportunities to engage with and promote external literary and educational events.

As children grow up, encouraging them to keep reading can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. With the constant pull of phones, social media and screens, it can seem as though reading has to compete harder than ever for their attention. The good news is that there are many simple, enjoyable ways families can support reading at home — and not all of them involve sitting quietly with a book!

Be a Reading Role Model

Every child at ECS is expected to read for 20 minutes each day. If your child is happy to read with you, taking turns reading aloud can be a wonderful way to share stories and build confidence. As children get older, this may happen less often — and that is perfectly normal. However, one of the most powerful things you can do is let them see you reading. Whether it’s a novel, newspaper, recipe or magazine, showing that reading matters in everyday life sends a strong message.

Share a Story Together

Reading together does not always mean sitting side by side. Many Young Adult novels are brilliantly written and just as enjoyable for adults as they are for teenagers. Why not choose a book to read at the same time? Sharing reactions, favourite characters and plot twists can spark great conversations and make reading feel more social and exciting.

Encourage Reading Aloud

Reading aloud has huge benefits for fluency, confidence and understanding. If your child feels too old or shy to read aloud to adults, encourage them to read to a younger sibling instead. They may see it simply as helping, but they are developing valuable reading skills at the same time.

Talk About What They’re Reading

Showing interest in your child’s reading can make a big difference. Keep conversations relaxed and simple:

• What’s happening in your book right now? 
• Who is your favourite character? 
• What do you think will happen next? 
• Would you recommend it to someone else? 

These small discussions help children think more deeply about what they read and show that their opinions matter.

Create Screen-Free Moments

Try setting aside times when the whole household switches off phones and devices — adults included! Screen-free time creates space for reading, conversation and relaxation. When children see reading being valued at home, they are far more likely to value it themselves.

Visit the Library

Libraries are fantastic places to explore new interests, discover authors and enjoy reading without pressure. Membership is free, and ECS is fortunate to be close to Ridge Avenue Library, as well as 16 other libraries across Enfield. A regular library visit can turn choosing books into an enjoyable family routine.

Explore Reading Beyond Books

Reading is everywhere! Encourage your child to engage with:

• magazines and newspapers 
• sports articles 
• recipes  
• graphic novels and comics 
• biographies  
• websites linked to their hobbies and interests 

The key is helping them see reading as something enjoyable, useful and relevant to everyday life.

Recommended Websites and Resources

There are many excellent online resources offering engaging fiction and non-fiction texts for young readers. Exploring these together can help children discover topics they genuinely enjoy and build positive reading habits in a format that feels familiar to them.

The library creates newsletters for parents and students to raise awareness and showcase everything happening in and around the library. These newsletters highlight new books, upcoming events, student activities, reading programs, and other important updates. They provide a great way for everyone to stay informed and connected, giving parents and students valuable insight into the learning opportunities and community involvement within the library. They can be found here and on the main school newsletter.

https://uk.accessit.online/edm00/#!dashboard Access It- Library Catalogue / Management system

https://edmonton.eplatform.co/ Online Reading

https://www.lexialearning.com/logins Lexia 

The library strongly believes in cultural capital and enriching students’ experiences beyond the classroom. We provide exciting library adventures and educational visits that inspire a love of reading, creativity, and learning. Our trips have included visits to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, The British Library, and Green Park. Students also take part in engaging author workshops and literary experiences that bring books and storytelling to life. We are proudly linked with the Children's Book Award and attend the annual Biblio Buzz event at Alexandra Palace each year, helping students discover new authors, celebrate reading, and develop a lifelong passion for literature.

The library has hosted many author visits, such as Kimba and Damani. We also visit authors at Biblio Buzz, where we get books signed, and we attend author workshops at the British Library.

We celebrate World Book Day with lots of fun activities and competitions. Staff dress up as favourite book characters, and we have a special best dressed award. There are also exciting writing competitions for everyone to take part in. It is a colourful and enjoyable day that everyone really looks forward to.

Each month we promote an Author of the Month to celebrate their achievements and raise awareness of different authors and their work. Children enjoy learning about a variety of writers, exploring their books, and discovering new stories and genres. This helps to encourage a love of reading and inspires pupils to develop their own reading and writing skills.

We celebrate and share a variety of Awareness Days throughout the year to help educate and inform children about important topics, events, and causes. These special days encourage discussions, build understanding, and promote kindness, respect, and inclusion. Taking part in Awareness Days also helps children learn about the world around them in a fun and meaningful way.

We host a variety of engaging clubs to support learning, creativity, and enjoyment outside the classroom. Our Homework Club provides a calm, supportive space where students can complete assignments with guidance and encouragement. The Harry Potter Club brings fans together to explore the magical world through discussions, activities, and themed events inspired by the series. Our Handwriting Club focuses on improving penmanship skills through fun and structured practice, helping students build confidence in their writing. Finally, the Biblio Buzz Club encourages a love of reading by sharing books, recommendations, and lively conversations about different stories and authors.

Our annual Spelling Bee and Read Aloud Event is a celebrated highlight across all campuses. Each year, 12 students are selected from each campus—6 spellers and 6 readers—to take part in the competition. Participants are carefully judged by a panel who assess accuracy, fluency, expression, and overall performance, with exciting prizes awarded to the winners. The Spelling Bee winner earns the honour of keeping the Spelling Bee title at their campus for the year, making it a proud achievement for both the student and their school community.

Through our subscription with DLT Media, we provide access to a curated selection of 12 leading magazine titles across our campuses, bringing high-quality reading material directly to students and staff. The collection includes globally recognised publications such as Vogue, Grazia, Empire, and National Geographic, offering a diverse mix of fashion, lifestyle, film, culture, and science content. This service supports learning, inspiration, and leisure reading, ensuring our campus communities stay informed, engaged, and connected to the wider world.

The school offers a range of targeted interventions designed to support students both academically and personally. Programmes such as Lexia help students strengthen their reading and literacy skills through personalised learning, while the Sixth Form Reading Buddies initiative gives younger students the chance to build confidence and enjoyment in reading alongside supportive older mentors. These interventions create a caring and encouraging environment where every student is given the opportunity to succeed, develop independence, and reach their full potential.