Finalists for the 2026 PLAA Awards Announced

The Judging Panel of the UK PLAA are delighted to announce the finalists for the 2026 primary and secondary awards. We were overwhelmed by the quality of nominations we received this year. Every single nomination came from pupils who do fantastic work in their school libraries, showing commitment, creativity and real enthusiasm for helping others enjoy reading and learning. The standard was incredibly high and it was genuinely difficult to narrow the list down.

If you were not selected as a finalist, please know that this is absolutely no reflection on the value of your work or the difference you make in your school library. Unfortunately, we cannot choose everyone, even though we would love to. You should be very proud of what you have achieved and of being nominated in the first place.

After much careful deliberation and thoughtful discussion, the Judging Panel have selected the following:

The primary finalists are:

Abidah Khatun, Year 5, Dorrington Academy, Birmingham

Beatrice McMillan, Year 6, Ravenscourt Park Prep School, London

Sophie Schuijt, Year 6, Forest School, London

The secondary finalists are:

Iris Aldridge, Year 11, St Hilda's CE High School, Liverpool

Olipher Grey, Year 13, Ullswater Community College, Penrith

Thashini Jesunayahan, Year 10, North London Collegiate School, London

Bethan Martin, Year 9, Dane Court Grammar School, Kent

Ethan Ovens, Year 9, Abbeyfield School, Chippenham

Kyra Randall, Year 13, Inscape House School, Cheadle

Jasmine Wong, Year 10, Heathside School, Surrey

The winners will be announced at the award ceremony on Thursday 26 March, and we look forward to celebrating these amazing young people who help make school libraries such special places.