Advocacy – Secondary School Case Study

Background

The library of an inner city girls’ school had received some investment after an OFSTED report. The school management was satisfied with the library but the librarian was keen to make further progress. She decided to conduct an Advocacy campaign using support from the Schools Library Service.

Content

The Librarian discussed the issues with an adviser from SLS. She used Module 10 of the KS3 Literacy strategy and the checklist produced by the Schools Library Service to do a rigorous self assessment.  A structured visit by an SLS adviser was organised. This involved:  -

• a meeting with the school management team.
• Interviews with some heads of department to discuss the use of the library in subject schemes of work.
• discussion with the library support staff
• observation and discussion with pupils about their use of the library
• Evaluation of the library resources
• Assessment of the homework support club
• Examination of the work carried out by the library to encourage development of pupils’ reading for pleasure and independent learning skills.

The librarian and the SLS adviser discussed the findings, agreed priorities and strategies. SLS then produced a report for the School Management team.

Outcomes

• Increased staffing in the library was agreed in order to release the librarian from more routine tasks and make the most of professional expertise.
• a refurbishment of the separate sixth form library to create a better defined study space.
• an agreed programme of funding to ensure the library continues to develop
• a celebration of the success and current good practice