School Visits
Idea Stores complement and support learning and reading in schools. When the school day is over and during weekends and school holidays, we offer a safe place for children to visit for pleasure or study. We have a range of activities that encourage enjoyment of reading and learning. Our regular offer can be found here - Children and families
During the school day we welcome visits from school classes and pre-school groups with the aim to develop children’s confidence in using our spaces as well as stimulating their imagination and fostering a love of reading for pleasure.
Nursery and Pre-School Visits
This fun and interactive session introduces nursery and preschool classes to the library through stories, songs, and a gentle exploration of books. Children will discover what a library is, how to enjoy books, and begin their journey as lifelong readers.
Primary School Class Visits
We offer a range of sessions that you can bring a class along to, focussing on different aspects of the service. They will complement your teaching as well as offering a different environment and inspiring the children to revisit Idea Stores independently or with parents.
We offer four different sessions for school class visits:
Libraries for Reading
Suitable for KS1 and KS2
This session will concentrate on fiction books and reading for pleasure. We will show the books suitable for all ages and reading abilities; board books, picture books, storybooks. We will show how those books are displayed in the library and why, and we will talk about the alphabetical shelving of fiction stories.
Libraries for Information
Suitable for KS1 and KS2
This session will concentrate on our books for information in the library. By the end of the session students will understand the purpose of the non-fiction section in the library, how to navigate it, and how to explore non-fiction books based on their interests.
Libraries for Heritage
Suitable for KS1 and KS2
This session uses resources from Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archive to explore how Tower Hamlets has changed. Concentrating on school life and home life we will introduce local history using pictures of the social history of the area.
LEGO Build the Change
Suitable for KS2
Build the Change is all about giving children a voice and allowing them to express their hopes and ideas for a better future. Children use their creativity to solve real-world challenges with LEGO® bricks – and it is all achieved via learning through play.
Book a class visit
Please fill out the online form to book your class visit.