Our School Library
We are fortunate to have a vibrant and welcoming library, filled with an exciting collection of relevant and engaging books for readers of all ages. At its heart is a stunning mural, designed by our talented artist-in-residence, Mr Jeanes, adding a unique touch of creativity to the space.
Alongside the mural stands our inspiring Tree of Recommendations, where pupils can add a leaf with a short review of a book they have loved, encouraging a culture of shared reading.
Our library is expertly managed by Mrs Thompson and her dedicated team of Year 6 assistants, ensuring that every book finds its perfect reader. Within the space, you’ll discover a carefully curated selection of non-fiction books, thoughtfully arranged by interest and age level. There’s also a vast collection of picture books and reading-for-pleasure texts, inviting pupils to explore stories whenever they can.
The true highlight of our library, however, is our extensive collection of novels, organised by Accelerated Reader level. Children can borrow these books one at a time, with the exciting opportunity to complete quizzes and progress through the levels, fostering both confidence and a lifelong love of reading.
Leaf Literature Festival
For two wonderful weeks, Staple Hill was once again alive with excitement as we celebrated our annual Leaf Literature Festival. This year, we were thrilled to welcome two incredible authors: Jen Reid, co-writer of A Hero Like Me, and Karen George, author and illustrator of Mr Mornington’s Favourite Things.
In addition to these inspiring visits, children had the chance to engage with authors online, share their love of reading through Book-ish Pen Pals, and take part in trust-wide writing and illustration competitions. A particularly proud moment was seeing our winning bookmark illustration selected as the overall trust winner—printed and distributed to every pupil!
As part of the festival, we also marked World Book Day with a joyful celebration filled with immersive reading activities. Pupils dressed up as their favourite characters and proudly showcased their costumes in a grand parade on the playground.
However, the highlight for many was our much-loved Bedtime Stories event. Pupils returned to school in their pyjamas, snuggled up with a hot chocolate, and shared stories with friends and teachers. This treasured tradition grows bigger each year, bringing us all the joy and magic of storytelling.