Library

“My Library was dukedom large enough” 
The Tempest (Act II, Sc II)

Welcome to the Tim Pigott-Smith Library!
The Tim Pigott-Smith (TPS) Library opened in November 2017 and is a vibrant hub of learning and exploration located at the heart of King Edward VI School.

We are open from 8.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday during term time only.

About Tim Pigott-Smith
Our Library is named in honour of Tim Pigott-Smith, an acclaimed actor, author and a proud Old Edwardian. He was a former Captain of School and continued on to become a lifelong friend and supporter of the School. His time at K.E.S. profoundly influenced his decision to pursue a career in acting where he went on to become one of the leading actors of his generation. His legacy continues to inspire our students, reminding them of the transformative power of education and the arts.

Meet Our Team
Our dedicated Library Team is guided by Mrs. Bandanwal, our School Librarian, and she is supported by Mrs. Barons and Mrs. Hodson as Assistant Librarians. We also have 30 capable and enthusiastic Student Library Assistants led by Benjamin McBride. 

You’ll find us at the library counter, ready to assist you in your reading journey. All together, we strive to create a welcoming learning environment for all students to support you with your academic and personal growth.

Collection and Facilities
Our Library boasts a rich collection of approximately 8,000 books, with around 5,000 non-fiction and 3,000 fiction titles. Whether you are reading for pleasure or seeking resources for academic advancement, you will find a diverse range of materials to suit your needs.

In addition to our extensive book collection, we provide 10 computers for student use, a printer, and tables equipped with charging stations for laptops. These facilities ensure that you have everything you need for research, study, and digital learning.

Borrowing Information
K.E.S. students and staff can borrow up to 5 books for a two-week period, with the option to renew them up to two times. Our available collection can be browsed through here: Library Borrowing Portal.  You can also download and install Accessit Library as an app on your phone via the App Store. Through the website or app, you can locate, reserve and renew books online.

Overdue fines are charged at 5p per School day (excluding weekends and holidays) up to a maximum of £2.00 per book. Lost books incur a replacement charge of £5, or alternatively the student can buy the replacement copy themselves.

Please speak with Mrs. Bandanwal if you need more books than the allowed borrowing limits, or need to borrow a book for a longer duration, or have lost your copy. She’s always happy to help.

Events and Activities
We regularly host reading activities such as book clubs, reading challenges, Carnegie Shadowing and other exciting events such author visits and book awards in collaboration with Warwickshire School Libraries Service and other partners.

We also regularly display themed reading collections for the New Year / Chinese New Year, World Book Day, Women’s History Month, Earth Day, Mental Health Awareness, Crime Reading Collection, Pride Month Display, Summer Reading, Black History Month, and others.

We invite all students to come and use the Library, participate in our events, and make the most of the resources available.

Keep an eye on our displays and announcements to stay updated on what's happening in the Library!

Get Involved
You may want to volunteer to become one of our Library Assistants. If you are interested, you may apply in the Summer Term when we issue our call for applications (you can apply from Year 8 onwards). For more information, email us at library@kes.net and follow our latest updates on our X/Twitter account: @kes_schoollib.

Our retired Librarian Mrs. Watts (2007 – 2020) also maintains a blog where she posts book reviews of young adult fiction titles here.

So whether you're diving into a novel, conducting research, or working on a project, the TPS Library is here to support your journey. We look forward to seeing you inside!