Independent Learning Centre
Our Independent Learning Centre, known by the students as the ILC, is a welcoming space for private or group study, for classes, or for students to simply relax with a good book. It houses a multitude of resources to support learning across the curriculum, and our knowledgeable Librarian frequently collaborates with subject teachers on research projects for various topics and provides resources for class activities as and when needed.
There’s a wide range of fiction and non-fiction works, as well as specific sections for Careers, Foreign Language fiction, Biographies, magazines/journals both in paper and digital formats and subscription databases which enable students to access up-to-date reliable and relevant information at the point of need. Furthermore, if a certain book isn’t available, students can order online from local Kent County Council Libraries. Our Librarian has ensured this facility is available to increase the variety of books available, and to make sure that book clubs have enough copies to cater for everyone.
One of the ILC’s key aims is to encourage and promote literacy, and to foster a love of reading. Several extra-curricular clubs are based in the ILC, including the Staff and Sixth Form Book Club, The Southern Schools’ Book Awards Book Club, and the Carnegie Shadowing Club.
Working closely with the English Department, author visits are frequently held in the ILC, with award-winning authors such as Frances Hardinge, Nicky Singer, Christopher Edge, and Cobham Hall Elder Griselda Heppel. Such visits often include a creative writing workshop for Lower School pupils, and these are always incredibly popular and very engaging.
Careers
With technology and global development moving at the fast pace it does, we are aware of the need to prepare our students for jobs that they will be doing in the future. Not only that, but with ‘jobs-for-life’ becoming a diminishing trait, it is more important than ever to equip girls with the skills needed to adapt, be resilient and have a lifelong zest for learning.
Preparing our students to be successful global citizens is an important part of life at Cobham Hall. Careers education starts in Year 7 as we build confidence and self-awareness. As students move through the School, they build skills to enable good choices to be made for GCSE subjects, A Levels, and university. We help them to discover the world of work, understand their strengths and weaknesses, develop soft skills and their engagement with different careers and employers.
Life skills are taught through experience and as part of our Wellbeing Programme. In Year 10 there is a mixed programme of careers profiling and individual advice.
Tutors, Housemistresses, teachers, UCAS specialists, and independent careers advisors are vital elements of the programme, all playing an important role in a student’s journey.
