Star Pupils Light Up National Library Awards

- Shortlist announced for UK Pupil Library Assistant of the Year -

Eight finalists have been announced in the Secondary category and three in the Primary for the Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Awards (PLAA), the annual award run by the School Libraries Group of Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP SLG) and the School Library Association (SLA).

Now in its twelfth year, the awards, which celebrate the wonderful contribution of pupil librarians across the UK, includes finalists from Cheshire to Cornwall. With a mix of state, independent, co-ed, boys and girls’ schools, plus a special school for children with autism, there is a diverse range of settings represented.

The primary school finalists are:

Darcey – Rotherfield Primary School (London)
Charlotte – Ravenscourt Park Prep School (London)
Samuel – Treleigh Community Primary School (Cornwall)

The secondary school finalists are:

Micah Ashford – Oaks Park High School (London)
Ana Butuc – Tonbridge Grammar School (Kent)
Faria Butt – Challney High School for Girls (Luton)
Georgia Essenhigh – Hereford Cathedral School (Hereford)
Thomas Evans – Wolverhampton Grammar School (Wolverhampton)
Faye Hanaghan – Inscape House School (Greater Manchester)
Alex Lamb – Bedford School (Bedford)
Elise Sankey – Abbeyfield School (Chippenham)

The shortlisted pupils were nominated by their school librarians for their outstanding work in the school library. They had to demonstrate their quality across five different areas, including how they are a role model for other students.

Open to pupils who assist in school libraries across the UK, the award recognises how their contribution impacts on their schools and also themselves. Entries are judged by a panel from the children’s book world and school library community.

Barbara Band, Chair of the PLAA Judging Panel, said: “I am constantly amazed at the work that these children and young people do within their school libraries. They volunteer week after week, carrying out a range of tasks that enable their librarians to extend the services they offer to the school community. From day-to-day administrative duties through to fundraising, designing literary gardens, running Pride assemblies, creating Book Tok videos and much more, they go that extra step to ensure their libraries are unique, inclusive and welcoming spaces. Their commitment to, and love for, their libraries shine out from their nominations and I am delighted that we can recognise this through the UK Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award.”

Chantel Carpenter, Director of Schools Marketing at Pearson, who sponsor and host the awards, said: “At Pearson we are committed to developing a long-term love of reading and libraries play an integral role in this and so much more in schools across the country. It is wonderful to see children and young people going one step further to ensure that their library is an ever-evolving space that all pupils can enjoy. We would like to congratulate all pupils who were nominated. You should be extremely proud of what you have achieved.”

The winners will be announced by children’s author and comedian, Russell Kane, at the award ceremony hosted by Pearson in London on Tuesday 25 March 2025.