Welcome to our Library
The importance of reading for children cannot be underestimated. Because of the learning potential, the effects of reading on child development are vast and multiple studies have highlighted its benefits. Reading can not only benefit a child’s education and their social and cognitive development, but also their wellbeing and mental health. It is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to our children. It gives them access to the full range and knowledge of the human race; it opens doors for them in their learning and it opens a wonderful world of escapism and enjoyment through the magic of stories and the written word.
Our new library has been recently restocked with a fantastic selection of books that were handpicked by our librarians Mrs Hancock and Mrs Brown (who used to work for Waterstones and has a wealth of book knowledge to share!) There is a wonderful variety of both fiction books by modern authors such as David Walliams and Michael Morpurgo and children’s classics like Treasure Island and Black Beauty. We have a host of fantastic non-fiction titles from books about animals and history to books about how to play chess and how to draw. There is also a dedicated space with books especially chosen by teachers to support and enhance the children’s learning.
The library is a very welcoming place with beanbags, fun floor mats and some lovely displays of children’s work. We hold special library events throughout the school year, so keep an eye out in the newsletter and on Class Dojo for details.
We look forward to seeing you in our fantastic new library soon!
Library Opening Times
Our Library is open to children and parents after school on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 4.00pm.
Our librarian’s are Mrs Brown and Mrs Hancock.
Our Reading Rainbow
Reading at home is one of the most important ways you can support your child in their education. Regular practice helps children to consolidate what they have learnt in school, exposes children to a wide range of vocabulary and is an opportunity to spend some quality 1:1 time with your child. At St Leonard’s CE Primary School, we ask that children read at home at least three times each week – more if possible.
To encourage children to read at home and to build a sense of achievement, every class at St Leonard’s CE Primary School has a ‘Reading Rainbow’. The children progress along the rainbow through the colours according to how many times they have read. You need to record 20 reads in your reading diary to reach red, which can be achieved in three weeks for children who read every day, four weeks for children who read every school day or seven weeks for children who read the minimum of three reads each week. To progress further along the rainbow, you need 40 to reach orange, 60 to reach yellow with this pattern continuing through the rainbow colours to violet, which requires 140 reads. The children receive a certificate in assembly for each level they achieve and can move their picture up on the rainbow displayed in their classroom.
It is possible, with daily reading, to complete the rainbow by the end of Term 2; this is a challenge many children set themselves. Do not fear though, that is not the end of the reading journey! After completing the rainbow awards, children can work towards their bronze, silver and gold awards. When they start each award, they receive a bookmark with specific reading challenges to try and we continue to count up their reads each week To reach bronze, children need to read 180 times, silver requires 220 reads and gold needs a massive 280 reads to be achieved.
Each academic year the rainbow resets and the children have the chance to work through the levels again.
Here are some of the things our children have said about the reading rainbow:
“I am on bronze and I felt excited when I got there. I want to finish the reading rainbow by the end of the year and get onto gold!” TM Year 6
“The reading rainbow is fun but challenging. It encourages people to read more because people like getting the certificates as rewards for their effort. My goal is to reach gold this year.” VC Year 6
“I’m on indigo and I’m happy. It was my favourite certificate so far. I hope to get onto bronze by the end of the year.” MK Year 3
“I’m on violet and I think I might get to bronze by half term.” LP Year 3
“I’ve only got four more reads to do and then I’m on silver!” KB Year 3
“You can do lots of reading and get certificates. I’m on yellow but I want to get to gold.” MS Year 1
“Everyone has got their red certificate in our class and we’ve all gone past that. I like the certificates.” SD Year 1