Inscape House School's literary adventures
Our brand-new school library at Inscape House School has been buzzing with energy recently, thanks to developments by our amazing librarian, Jenna. Since the Library moved to a new, bigger, and cosier location, the students have been very enthusiastic about visiting and taking part in events.
One of the most exciting developments is the launch of the library's new Instagram account, which has become a hub for the school’s reading community where Jenna shares updates about school events, competitions and reading inspiration.
In addition to the social media presence, the library has been hosting a diverse mix of events.
Jenna knows that the best way to engage with students is through events, so the library never misses an occasion to celebrate reading: whether that’s through the National Share a Story Month, the Valentines’ Day ‘Blind Date With a Book’ initiative, making and sharing bookmarks with our partnership school in Ghana for ’International Libraries Month’, dressing up for World Book day, or hosting writers’ talks. The fabulous Portico library in Manchester have hosted various writers' workshops both at our school as well as their library, and our students are frequent winners of the Portico Art of the Book Award. In addition, to celebrate National Storytelling Week, the students were enchanted by the magical story Alice and the Windowsill Garden, which was performed in the library by Colour the Clouds theatre company.
Inkscape Critics
Starting during the spring term, students have been participating in our Carnegie Shadowing group Inkscape Critics. This has proved a powerful project that has encouraged the students to explore books on a deeper level and broaden their breadth of literature. Whilst previously there was little demand attached to library Story Sessions, our students have been excited and eager to join in with the creative task accompanying each book on the Carnegie Shortlist for Illustration. At the end of the year students took part in Inkscape Critics Carnegie Celebration – with a spread of foods from around the world, activities and the reveal of the winner of Carnegie Medal for Illustration.
Library Assistants
Jenna is helped by the amazing Library Assistants, who dedicate their time and energy to help with the management of the library and events. Earlier this year, Faye, one of our students, was a finalist for the Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Awards and took part in a celebration in London!
Jenna shares: "Faye’s enthusiasm for our school library is infectious. Her passion and drive radiate throughout the school, motivating her peers and inspiring the school community as a whole; her impact is significant. Faye works relentlessly with our library team to drive our vision for the library and uphold the values of our school, showing unwavering commitment."
A love for reading is just one of the many aspects of our curriculum.
At Inscape House School, we break down barriers to learning for children with autism, and create individual learning programmes matched with a core team of therapists, all delivered by our dedicated team and accredited by the National Autistic Society.