Resources

Books

The library has a wide range of fiction and non-fiction printed books to support the study, learning and personal interests of students at Caldew School, and to encourage reading for pleasure.

Fiction
We have over 1500 printed fiction titles, ranging from well-loved children’s authors such as Roald Dahl, CS Lewis and JK Rowling, to cutting edge new Young Adult fiction from authors such as Charlie Higson, Holly Smale, Rainbow Rowell and Patrick Ness.  The fiction is broadly divided into Junior (age 10-13) and Senior (age 14+) and arranged alphabetically by author. Bookworms can take advantage of our comfy seating area and bean bags. In addition to the mainstream fiction section, we have a good selection of “light bites” for those who prefer a quick read, and an increasing stock of graphic novels and manga.

For lists of recommended reading, please browse our online reading lists by following the link below:

Access our school reading lists online - click here

Non-Fiction
We stock around 4000 non-fiction books to support learning and study across the curriculum in Key Stages 3 & 4, as well as special higher level resources to support sixth form study.  We also provide a range of general interest and wider reading titles such as inspirational biographies, books about sports, hobbies and pets, and a selection of interesting reference materials such as the Guinness Book of World Records.

Periodicals

In the reading area we also have a range of magazine / newspaper titles to be read in the library.  These include:

  • i Newspaper
  • BBC History Magazine
  • Law Review
  • Society Now
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Shout Magazine
  • How It Works

iPad

The Library's New iPad 3, loaded with a range of fun, educational apps, can also be booked by pupils for use during break and lunchtimes.

eLibrary

eLibrary is Caldew School’s online library catalogue. 

 

Collection Development Policy

To view the library’s policy for developing it’s collection of resources, please click here.

Online Resources

Don’t bother wading through lists of irrelevant or unreliable results on Google! Try out some of our top quality online resources, specially selected to support your studies at Caldew!

  • Philip Allen Magazines Archive - An online archive of past issues of the A-Level Review magazine articles across a range of curriculum subjects.
  • University of Cumbria Online Catalogue - Search the University of Cumbria library for relevant books and journal articles to help your studies.  School students can access the Fusehill Street library and use their resources for reference purposes.
  • Cumbria Libraries Interactive Catalogue - All residents of the county are entitled to free membership of the county library service. You can search the full range of books in all of the branch libraries using this catalogue. To become a member, simply fill out the quick membership request form here
  • Gale in Context: World History  - Please see or email Mrs Bell for password.  Gale In Context: World History takes learners from the ancient world to today's headlines, delivering a chronicle of the great cultures and societies that have formed the history of the human race. Rare primary sources, reliable reference, and multi-media content put this vast topic into context for students.
  • Newspapers for Schools - This newspaper database covers most of the national and local newspapers in the UK and is updated daily.  Individual PDF articles are free to download and print out, so if you need to know what's being said in the media, this should be your first point of call! Username: students@caldew.cumbria.sch.uk / Password: students21

  • Wellcome Library Digital Resources https://wellcomelibrary.org/collections/digital-collections/

    Free access to the digitised resources from the Wellcome Library – an unparalleled collection of primary resources on the History of Medicine, covering a wide variety of topics, including asylums, food, sex and sexual health, genetics, public health and war.  Useful wider reading for sixth form students studying History, Health and Social Care, and Biology. Could be an excellent EPQ resource.

  • Pinakes - This is the ultimate Gateway of subject Gateways.  Whatever you're studying, there'll be a portal in Pinakes full of high quality, evaluated online resources in your subject area.  Give it a go!
  • Directory of Open Access Journals - Recommended for 6th Form students, this resource gives access to free, full text, quality controlled academic journals across the curriculum areas.
  • Office for National Statistics - Want some facts and figures about life in the UK?  All the data that the government find out about our daily life, whether it's work patterns,  agricultural production, prison figures or health and wellbeing, can be found on this website.
  • DirectGov - The Official HM Government website for citizens. If you want to find out what the official government position is on something, make this your first point of call!
  • Google Scholar - It's Google, but for academic research.  Recommended for 6th Form study, but beware – not all of the results it finds are free to download.
  • BBC Bitesize - A great GCSE revision resource.
  • Cumbria Library Free Online Resources
  • JSTOR Website - Username: jcs003 / Password: landscape

An effective programme of personal development has been created for pupils in key stages 3 and 4. This prepares pupils well for their future, giving them opportunities to have important discussions about healthy relationships, social and moral issues.

Ofsted 2022

Pupils including students in the sixth form, are proud to attend Caldew School. They feel well supported, happy and safe in this welcoming community. There are high level of trust and respect between pupils, students and staff.

Ofsted 2022

Leaders have created a welcoming and supportive environment at this school. Pupils and students achieve well in their learning. They are well prepared for their next steps in education, employment and training.

Ofsted 2022

Staff have high expectations for pupils’ and students’ behaviour and learning. Pupils and students behave well in lessons and around the school site. They are polite to each other and look out for others in the school.

Ofsted 2022

Leaders provide effective careers guidance to pupils from Year 7 through to Year 13. Clear guidance, including preparation for interviews and ‘Work Ready Days’, helps pupils and students to make considered choices for their next steps.

Ofsted 2022