Winner of the School Librarian of the Year 2025 announced

The School Library Association has presented its annual awards recognising the work of librarians in secondary and primary schools. 

Julie Broadbent (Northampton International Academy) has won the School Librarian of the Year 2025 for her work in promoting reading engagement, enriching her students' experience of school, and maximising the opportunities provided by the school library.

Mangotsfield C of E Primary School (Bristol) was also named Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year.

Thomas A'Becket Infant School in West Sussex was announced as the winner of the SLA Enterprise of the Year Award for their renovation of the school library, named The Shore.

The awards were presented yesterday, 6 November, by the School Library Association at an evening ceremony hosted by author and screenwriter, Anthony Horowitz.

Julie Broadbent (centre left) received her award from Antony Horowitz (left), with Garry Barber (Browns Books) and Victoria Dilly (SLA)

The Secondary School Librarian of the Year Award

The Secondary School Librarian of the Year Award is presented by the School Library Association to a librarian who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession and to their whole school community. The award is sponsored by Browns Books.

The award highlights Julie Broadbent's work in creating a culture of positivity at Northampton International Academy, where reading is celebrated. The judges said, 'Julie has developed the school library into a welcoming safe space, housing a diverse collection that reflects the whole school community.

'From student-led assemblies advocating for the importance of reading, to book groups and giveaways, the impact Julie makes is also seen far beyond the walls of the library. Julie offers her students new experiences, encouraging them to unlock their potential, to access new ways of seeing the world and to become independent, confident learners.'

The award judges also commended the librarian's initiative in building partnerships within the wider community, working collaboratively with both the local Public Library and the University of Northampton to maximise reading for pleasure and study skills opportunities for the large numbers of students she supports.

This year marks 20 years of the School Librarian of the Year Award, which was established in 2005 by the late author and illustrator Aidan Chambers, during this tenure as President of the School Library Association. The award has become a cornerstone of recognition for secondary school library staff.

Verity Robinson (centre left) with Anthony Horowitz, Jenny Tyler (Usborne Books) and Victoria Dilly (SLA)

The Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year Award

The Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year Award, which launched with support from Usborne in 2024, celebrates a library team that works together to ensure their school library positively impacts all the pupils in their primary school.

Mangotsfield C of E Primary School in Bristol was named this year's winner of the Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year Award. Led by librarian Verity Robinson, the library at Mangotsfield is described by the judges as 'the heart of the school's reading community, helping every child see themselves as readers and laying the foundation for lifelong library use'.

Since a recent renovation, the library has transformed the school's reading culture, engaging everyone from avid readers to those who previously found reading difficult due to dyslexia, language barriers, or simply not yet finding the right book.

The judges added, "Librarian Verity Robinson is passionate about providing a diverse, inclusive collection, ensuring every child can see themselves reflected in the stories they read. She takes the time to understand each child as a reader, tailoring book recommendations to spark their interest and boost confidence.

"The library and librarian at Mangotsfield truly demonstrates what a Primary School can achieve when enabled by the senior leadership team and whole school community. By employing a dedicated, and experienced librarian, the school has elevated reading for pleasure across the pupil experience as well as the staff body, contributing to everyone's confidence around books."

SLA Enterprise of the Year Award

Alongside Julie Broadbent and Mangotsfield C or E Primary School, Thomas A'Becket Infant School in West Sussex was announced as the winner of the SLA Enterprise of the Year Award for its renovation of the school library, named The Shore: a tribute to Teaching Assistant, Miss Emily Shaw, who passed away suddenly at the start of 2024.

Advocating for school libraries

CEO of the SLA, Victoria Dilly, said: "Over the last nine months, I have had the great fortune to visit some of our member schools, see their libraries in action and hear from the young people they support about the value their school librarian brings to their school community. I witnessed library colleagues whose work inspired, encouraged and empowered young people to reach their full potential.

"Visiting SLA members across the country has made me ever more determined to advocate for all those who work to build incredible school libraries and the fundamental, often life-changing support they offer. As we navigate ever increasing pressures in schools both on staff and students alike, and as we wait for ongoing changes to curriculum government policy and debates about budgets, the thing that never changes is the positive difference a school librarian and a well-run library can make to a whole school community."

The SLA awards are, she said, an opportunity to celebrate success and the positive impact the work that the award nominees and winners has on the lives of hundreds of young people every single day. "Through these awards we can show exactly why and how a school library and hard-working librarian is such an integral part of every young person's education - and that investment in both should be an immovable item in the budget line and a point of pride for every school community."

The winners of the School Librarian of the Year and Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year Award were both chosen from a shortlist of three nominees. The honours lists included dedicated librarians and library teams who have developed innovative approaches to embedding and encouraging a reading culture within their schools. The Shortlist for each award was as follows:

Secondary School Librarian of the Year Award Shortlist

Jill Fenton, Cheney School, Headington (Oxfordshire)

The judges said, "Jill Fenton has created a structured approach to both Reading for Pleasure and Research Skills and has equipped the library with the resources needed to respond to the needs of the students and staff she works with.

Julie Broadbent, Northampton International Academy, Northampton

The judges commented, "Julie Broadbent has worked collaboratively with both the local Public Library as well as the University of Northampton to maximise the reading for pleasure and study skills opportunities for the large numbers of students that she works with, across both Primary and Secondary phases."

Gareth Evans, Abbeyfield School, Chippenham (Wiltshire)

The judges said, "Gareth Evans has built a strong and vibrant LRC offering over the past 8 years at Abbeyfield. He has created a curated programme of Library lessons complimenting the English curriculum throughout Key Stage 3, as well as integrating cross-curricular links wherever possible."

The Peter Usborne Primary Library Award Shortlist

Dorrington Academy, Birmingham

The judges said, "Dorrington Academy's library has created real impact over the short time it has been open. The library staff have created multiple opportunities to engage school pupils and teachers and students alike use the Reference Library as an important learning resource. The creation of a dedicated Parents' Library has helped to build reading culture at home as well as at school."

Mangotsfield Church of England Primary School, Bristol

The judges commented: "Mangotsfield Church of England Primary School's journey of taking the library from a disused space to being an integral part of daily life is inspirational, and everyone can take something from it. The Library and Librarian truly demonstrates what a Primary School can achieve when enabled by the SLT and whole school community."

Upton Meadows Primary School, Northampton

The judges said, "Upton Meadows Primary School have positioned their library at the physical and educational heart of the school. The pupils are regularly experiencing quality books, as well as many of them holding the position of library helper, further developing their sense of responsibility and community."

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