Library

Academy Library Staff

Miss Caroline Wheelhouse – Academy Librarian

Available between 10am and 2pm for all library services.

 

The Academy Library is available to PACA students and staff for:

• Browsing and borrowing books
• Returning or renewing books
• Reading in peace
• Revision
• Homework

 

Every student has the opportunity to use the library during break time or lunch time, where they can browse at leisure, return or renew their current library books or do their homework. 

All of our students are automatically given an AccessIt account when they start at PACA and this is where their borrowing history is recorded.  

 

 

 

Behaviour in the library

All students are welcome on the understanding that the library is a quiet area where sensible and considerate behaviour is expected at all times. Lesson behaviour policies regarding eating, drinking and the use of mobile phones and other personal audio items are followed at all times. 

 

PLEASE NOTE: Most books in the library are available to borrow for up to 3 weeks.  AccessIt auto-emails students each week their library book is overdue, and on Week 4 the email is sent to parent/carers.  Students will also be given a polite reminders via their Tutor and Heads of Year to return any overdue books.  If books are still not returned, Miss Wheelhouse will send a letter or email to parents/carers asking for support to find and bring back.  Any lost or badly damaged books have a flat replacement fee of £4 which will be put towards purchasing a new copy.  Miss Wheelhouse will decide if a student account needs to be frozen until the fine is paid or a new copy of the book is provided.

 

Harper the Literacy Dog

Harper has been working at PACA for 4 years as our School Literacy Dog.  

She loves to sit on her reading blanket and listen to the students read (she quite enjoys the cuddles, too!).  

Why do we have a Literacy Dog at PACA?

To improve the reading confidence of our students...

Students may feel nervous and uncomfortable reading aloud in front of their peers and teachers in a classroom environment.  Harper is an uncritical, non-judgmental and attentive listener.

To reduce anxiety...

Reading to Harper is a positive interaction which helps to build confidence and self-esteem.  Reading is a more relaxed and fun experience, and students feel less self-conscious.

To develop empathy skills and provide companionship...

Dogs give unconditional acceptance.

Harper also supports students to feel calm and can help to regulate emotions.

And finally...

To provide a basic experience of dog safety and a sense of responsibility and respect.

PACA 30

PACA 30 is our school-wide reading challenge, open to all students.  For each year group, five outstanding books have been chosen from the following genres: fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel, modern classic and a book which links to our Aldridge Attributes.  The students are invited to take part at their leisure; there is no rush, no deadline, no set order in which they have to read each book.

After a book has been finished, the students are given a short quiz which checks their comprehension and opinion of what they have just read.  When the five books and their corresponding quizzes have been finished, students move onto the Bonus Read.  This is a book of their choosing which fits into one of these categories:

• Read a book which has been published this current year
• Read a book which has featured on a banned book list
• Read a book that has been adapted for the screen
• Read a book of poetry
• Read a book that represents the Aldridge Attribute of Teamwork

The Bonus Read has a book review task to complete and then they have accomplished the challenge for that year!

Students are given a PACA 30 bookmark when they begin to track their progress, P Points for each book and quiz completed, upon finishing are awarded a certificate and badge and are entered into the termly prize draw for a book token.  The biggest reward is the six diverse books they have experienced, which they may not have otherwise chosen for themselves.

If a student takes part every year they are at PACA, they will have read all 30 books of the aptly titled "PACA 30".

PACA 30 FAQ:

Can I borrow and read the PACA 30 books but not do the quizzes and take part in the challenge?

Of course!  The books that have been chosen are the best of the best and should be read and hopefully enjoyed!  The quiz wouldn't take you long to do, so if you change your mind you can ask for one at any time.  If you want to read a book from the Year 9, 10 or 11 selection but you are not from those year groups, you may need a Year 9+ permission letter.

I have already read one of the PACA 30 books from my year group - do I have to read it all over again?

No, you don't!  If you want to take the quiz without re-reading, you can.  If you finished the book a while ago and need a refresher, you are very welcome the borrow the book to remind you.

Can I take the PACA 30 challenge from the other year groups?  Good question!  You can take part in PACA 30 year group challenges that are younger than the year you are in, but unfortunately cannot participate in the challenge of older year groups. n>I haven't finished reading the six books from my year group and it is the end of the school year.   What does this mean?  That is not a problem - the books and quizzes you have finished have been logged and you can pick up from where you left off when you are ready to start PACA 30 again.  

I am a slow reader and some of the books look quite long.  I don't think I would finish them.

It's true, some of the books are longer than others, and some don't take very long to finish at all.  The books suit all different abilities so that they are both accessible and a challenge to all the students.  If you would prefer to listen to them as audiobooks at your own pace then that is an option which has worked well for other students.

I am not sure what book to choose for my Bonus Read.

Come and have a chat with Miss Wheelhouse!  She has lots of books in the library which fit into all of the categories and will find you a selection that you can borrow from.

Am I allowed to have the book when I take the quiz?

Absolutely!  The quiz is not a test, you can refer to the book to help you answer the questions at any time.  Some quiz questions ask about specific pages or sections, so it would be helpful if you still have the book with you when you quiz!

I have borrowed a PACA 30 book - can I borrow another school library book at the same time?

Yes, you can.  We understand you are completing PACA 30 in your own way and that some students may want to read another book at different times.  This is the one situation where you can have 2 school library books issued to your account at the same time.

Will the PACA 30 books change?

Yes, eventually.  However, this is something which will have a lot of thought put into it so that the book being chosen as a replacement is equally as outstanding.  If there is a PACA 30 update, Miss Wheelhouse would let everybody know after it has been made official.

PACA 30 books by year group

 

Carnegie Book Club

Book Club 2026 saw students from Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 meet weekly to borrow, read and discuss the books from this year's Carnegie Medal shortlist.

With stand-out favourites such as Wolf Siren, This Boy I Love and Not Going To Plan in the running, we have now placed our individual votes and hope our choices will  be crowned the winner at the upcoming awards ceremony.

 

 

 

Chris Bradford Author Visit March 2026

 Song Writing Competition February 2026

The theme of this year's National Storytelling Week was 'Soundtrack your story'.

PACA students were challenged to create a song or rap about their life - their life story or an important part.

Our winners were Olivia (Year 7) and Poppy (Year 9) who are both very talented lyricists!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 9 visit to Mile Oak Primary School

24 keen and eager Year 9 students visited Mile Oak Primary School, during the week which included World Book Day, to share books in Nursery and Reception.  As always, the trip was enjoyed by all involved, and the PACA students encouraged a positivity and passion for reading with the younger children.

Year 9 Visit Mile Oak Primary School