Library
West London Free School has had a library since its inception. Its first home was at Cambridge Grove and then, temporarily, Bridge Avenue. With the move to Palingswick House all the secondary school books were transferred to the library here.
The library at Palingswick House is at the heart of the school, both literally and figuratively. It offers pupils a quiet place for independent study, revision with a partner, access to computers for schoolwork and of course reading for pleasure.
For those in the Sixth Form, there is also a dedicated library at Franklin House.
Library Loans
The library catalogue is available online for pupils to reserve, renew and review books; pupils must be logged-in to their school accounts to access it.
Pupils can access the Palingswick House and/or Franklin House catalogues here:
Parents can access the Palingswick House and/or Franklin House catalogues as a guest here:
Pupils are entitled to borrow two fiction and two non-fiction books for a period of three weeks. Books are available to borrow and renew in person during break and lunch.
Opening Hours
The library at Palingswick House is open from 08:00 to 16:00.
The library at Franklin House is open from 08:00 to 16:00, with occasional after-school optional study hours until 18:00.
Library Staff
Mrs J Eastwood, Librarian, Palingswick House – j.eastwood@wlfs.org
Ms V Duggan, Senior Librarian, Franklin House – v.duggan@wlfs.org
Year 7 Library Induction
Pupils in Year 7 attend a library induction as part of their English lesson to show them how to get the most out of the library and most importantly, how to find a good book.
Year 12 Library Induction
Students have an induction at the start of their A level courses, introducing them to the library facilities and online resources. All students are timetabled for a few hours per week of supervised study in the library, where they work in silence on research, homework, and revision.
Reading Lists
Reading lists suitable for the lower school and sixth form and other suggested reading lists including for The Valerie John Prize, the Trinity Schools Book Award and the Yoto Carnegies are available for pupils to find on our library catalogue homepage.
Carnegie Shadowing Book Club
Every March, we join thousands of schools around the country and take part in shadowing the judging process of the Carnegie Medal, the UK’s oldest and best-loved children’s book awards. Shadowers read and discuss the 8 shortlisted titles, take part in a Q&A with one of the Judges, vote for the book they think should win via the Shadowers’ Choice Award and are invited to watch the Carnegie Winner Ceremony streamed live from the British Library in June.
The Sixth Form Book Club
Students are welcome to participate in a book club that takes place every Thursday at lunchtime in Franklin House library. The students choose the books themselves and average a book per half term.
The London Library
The Sixth Form has membership of The London Library, which gives us access to their catalogue, allowing us to borrow books and eBooks.
The Valerie John Prize
Lower school pupils are invited to immerse themselves in 6 books from The Valerie John Prize shelf from the bronze and silver categories or 10 books from the gold category to win: a gift voucher, a signed certificate from our Heads and a unique bronze, silver or gold badge. Ask Librarian, Mrs Eastwood, for more details.
The Prize was created in memory of Valerie John who sadly passed away in 2014. Valerie was a great supporter of the school, the first chair of the PTA and most importantly the mother of a pupil from our first cohort.
Thank you to the PTA for making this prize possible.
Studying for A levels can be demanding and time consuming. Social media can be a thief of time. With all these demands on spare moments it is easy to lose the ‘habit’ of reading for pleasure.
To encourage our Sixth Form students at WLFS to make time for this and develop a routine of reading, outside the curriculum, we have our ‘Reading Challenge’ as a continuation of The Valerie John Prize started at the lower school in 2015.
Students will be rewarded with House Points and some form of school recognition in the first instance for reading 3, then 6 books. When they have read 10 books, they will receive a gift voucher and a place on the Wall of Fame.
Computers
There are thirteen networked desktop computers which lower school pupils can use before and after school and during break and lunch for schoolwork. Pupils must sign a consent form to use.
Laptops
Laptops are available in Franklin House library for students to use throughout the day. They are also welcome to bring in their own devices. A printer is available to students in the library.
Stationery Shop
Pupils can buy stationery from the Heads of Year office in the library Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.30am.
