Fostering a love of reading at Somerhill

Somerhill is exceptionally fortunate to have two libraries, The Woodgate Library and Bickies Library, with a full-time dedicated librarian. This enables new resources to be continually made available to pupils and staff, supporting the curriculum and fostering a love of reading. We believe in developing our reading brains, and there is a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction material to choose from.

Our Woodgate Library was refurbished in February 2024 and has been restored to its former glory. Did you know it is over 400 years old and the second-longest private library in Kent? With over 7,000 books, it is the heart of Somerhill and plays host to many events throughout the school year.

All prep classes have a library session at least once a fortnight, but pupils may also access the library during breaks and lunchtimes. Pre-prep classes have a library session at least once a week, and when accompanied, the children may also access the library at break and lunchtimes. In these sessions, pupils talk about books that they are reading, share recommendations, read to each other, and have access to a wide range of books that suit the most reluctant to the most avid readers.

The library catalogue is online, and pupils can access it from school and home. They can view books, review and reserve them, make wish lists, and create a bespoke interest feed. On the home page, quick lists for year group recommendations, project support, inclusivity and diversity, LGBTQ, and BAME are all available. There are also links to Audible, Book Trust, dyslexia-friendly sites, and anything the school is participating in, such as The Awesome Book Awards and Bookbuzz.

Our libraries are dynamic spaces. The Somerhill community supports our multiple book days and book fairs, which we host each year.