The Library at King James is a much-loved space for lessons, homework, virtual learning, independent reading and a host of extra-curricular clubs both at lunch time and after school.

Mr Wheatley, our Academy Librarian leads the popular Carnegie Book Club, which gives students the opportunity to get involved in the UK’s longest-running and most prestigious children’s book awards. This competition, which is run and judged exclusively by children’s librarians, celebrates outstanding achievement in two categories: The Carnegie Medal for Writing and The Carnegie Medal for Illustration. Alongside the official librarian judges, thousands of reading groups in schools and libraries across the UK and the world “shadow” the judging process. They read the shortlisted books, debate the merits of each one, and vote for their personal favourites to win the Shadowers’ Choice Awards. Our current Carnegie Book Club group consists of around 20 students in Years 7-10 who come together at lunch time to read, discuss and review the nominations before voting for their favourite.

The after school Games Club brings students of all ages together to share their love of table top games such as Warhammer, Dungeons and Dragons, Pokemon, Magic the Gathering and Disney Lorcana. Creative students love the Illustration Club and the Comic Book Club, which allows students to build creative writing skills by developing imaginative characters and storylines and producing their own comic. There is even a bespoke Creative Writing Club for aspiring authors, poets and script writers.

At lunch time, students can enjoy a game of chess or draughts, or spend time browsing the shelves and discussing their favourite books while they eat lunch. There is also a Homework Club for those who need a little extra support or who just prefer to complete homework before going home. Mr Wheatley also organises a programme of events throughout the year such as virtual Q&A sessions with professional writers and university lecturers.