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After attending a webinar hosted by The School Library Association and anti-bullying charity Kidscape highlighting this year’s theme of ‘reaching out’, the College Library staff wanted to draw together and promote resources to support the pupils in as many ways as possible. The College’s Library is well known as a safe space within the school where pupils come for academic assistance. We wanted to make sure that they also know that we provide the same service for personal matters too.
Studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations, and scientific evidence shows that immersion in literature is an effective way to build our understanding of other people. We curated an online reading list where books/resources can be reserved online, borrowed, or read in the peace and quiet of the Library.
We designed a webpage on our VLE (the school intranet), which is a good way to catch students who might not be regular visitors to the Library, signposting organisations which can offer help in many different ways. These include inspirational TedTalks, links to online chats with mental health professionals and instructions for how to report harmful content on social media.
We also created a striking display in the foyer displaying some interesting facts and information to start the conversation about how bullying can be defined. Posters with QR codes for quick and easy access to the useful material were distributed to all Houses by our Student Library Assistants during the week.
Equally important during the week (but also throughout the year) was the work done by our Peer Supporters, who used the material to facilitate discussions in Houses and inform PSHE work with the Third Form.
Julia Nixon, Assistant Librarian