Library

Opened in February 2012, The Ashfordian Library is a vibrant and well used resource, situated at the heart of the school in the Brabourne building. The library and its resources are available for all students and staff who wish to use them.

The main aims of the library are:

• To encourage reading and an interest in books and literature
• To introduce students to the skills they need to access information in the library and elsewhere
• To provide a silent study space for 6th formers and staff during study periods, and a quiet place for reading and working at other times

How are these aims achieved?

• Experienced staff are available to answer enquiries and recommend appropriate books
• Informative library displays featuring books, films, hobbies and current affairs
• Inspiring book related activities, including author visits, quizzes, competitions , clubs and book fairs
• Coordinated stock selection ensuring student study needs are met
• A taught programme of research and study skills         

Facilities and services:

• Open 8.00am – 4.00pm
• All students may use the library before school, during break and at lunchtime
• 6th form students may also use the library for silent study during study periods
• 3 books may be borrowed for up to 3 weeks
• Desk space for 20, computers for 24, laptops for 20 and soft seating for 20+
• Printing and laminating
• Homework Club 3.40-4.15pm

Resources:

• ​Fiction: colour coded to help students make appropriate choices
• Non-fiction books: for homework and hobbies
• Online Journals: for research
• Local history and school archives: to help with local history research

We also offer:

• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): help with project planning, finding and evaluating sources, notemaking and writing skills, referencing and plagiarism, presentation techniques
• Volunteering opportunities: available to all students including Duke of Edinburgh volunteer​​​​​​
  • Promoting Reading Through our Amazon Wishlist.

• This is a new initiative for 2026, with the intention of broadening students’ vocabulary, developing comprehension skills, and inspiring curiosity across a range of topics. By inviting families and the wider community to purchase books directly from our wish list, we can continue to refresh and expand our reading resources with engaging, age-appropriate texts that reflect students’ interests. This ensures that reading remains exciting, inclusive, and most importantly relevant.

  If you would like to support this initiative, please click the link and add our wish list to your friends list on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/buxrqDK

  Once a purchase has been made, please use the school's postal address for delivery:

  The Norton Knatchbull School

  Hythe Road

  Ashford

  Kent

  TN240QJ

Miss M Leech
Librarian