01 Nov 2026
The librarian at Fleetville Junior School has recognised nationally in the HarperCollins Reading for Pleasure Awards 2026 and crowned the winner of the School Reading Champion category.
Run in conjunction with the Open University and the UK Literacy Association (UKLA), the awards celebrate how teachers and school staff have found innovative ways to inspire reading for pleasure in the classroom.
Polly-Anne Gibbs was recognised for her transformative work in creating a new library at Fleetville and presented with her award by children’s author Mel Taylor-Bessent (main picture).
She explained: “At Fleetville, I have worked extremely hard to create a beautiful library and give every child access to books that spark their imagination and nurture empathy. In an age dominated by screen time, helping young people discover a genuine love of books is more vital to us than ever.”
In September 2024, after two years as a school receptionist at Fleetville Junior School, Polly noticed the library was in poor condition, often empty and underused.
“As a keen reader, I discussed this with my headteacher and was given the opportunity to transform it into a warm, welcoming space where children could enjoy books of their own choosing.”
Working in the library one day a week, she began by repainting it with calming colours and literary-themed displays.
She introduced the ‘Bookflix’ feature to showcase new additions and connect reading with familiar media, and an ‘Author of the Month’ display, where children and staff suggest favourite authors to showcase, helping to spark conversations, encourage recommendations, and sustain a vibrant reading environment.
The library was officially opened by children’s author Cressida Cowell, whose visit helped raise its profile within the wider school community.
Polly continued her work expanding the facility, fundraising for new books which she based on pupil recommendations and sources such as BookTrust, Waterstones, local bookshops, and publishers’ websites. This resulted in expanded non-fiction and poetry sections and a new area for graphic novels.
She launched a ‘Design a Bookmark’ competition in 2025 to boost library engagement, with the winning design professionally produced and stocked in the library. Now in its second year, it continues to grow in popularity, with many designs displayed in reception.
Polly added: “The impact of these changes can be seen not just in the data, but in what we hear every day from children, staff, and parents. Children often come to share what they’re reading or ask for ideas about what to try next, and staff frequently remark on how much pupils enjoy and value their weekly library visits.
“This is reflected in our Reading Cloud data too, with over 5,021 books borrowed across the school since September 2024.
“Creating a welcoming and engaging library space has really encouraged the children to spend more time reading independently. Involving them in shaping the library has given them a real sense of ownership and pride, while the wider range of books has helped more children, including reluctant readers, find something they genuinely enjoy.
“The library is now seen not just as a place to borrow books, but as a calm and valued space to relax and
unwind. Perhaps most encouraging of all is hearing children talk enthusiastically about what they are reading and recommending books to each other, showing a growing and genuine love of reading. The library is now the beating heart of Fleetville Junior School.”
After receiving the award, Polly said: “I am beyond excited, and deeply honoured, to receive the School Reading Champion award from HarperCollins. However, this honour belongs to our pupils just as much as it does to me. The little library we’ve built together at Fleetville Junior School has become such a special place.
“By giving the children a real voice in choosing and growing our collection, they’ve developed a true sense of pride and ownership over their reading. Every school deserves a magical library; it’s how we give children the space and freedom to fall in love with books.”
Fleetville Junior School headteacher Claire Whitehouse-Varney said: “We’re delighted to share that our wonderful librarian and receptionist, Polly Gibbs, has won the School Reading Champion award at the HarperCollins Reading for Pleasure Awards.
“The awards celebrate the people who help children develop a love of reading. Polly’s entry, Reimagining the Library: Creating a Place for Reading for Pleasure, impressed the judges, who recognised her fantastic initiative, inspirational fundraising and the huge increase in book borrowing she has helped achieve.
“Polly attended the awards ceremony to collect her award, and we couldn’t be prouder of her and all she has done to make our library such a special place. Her winning entry will soon be available on The Open University’s Reading for Pleasure website, where it can inspire other schools too.”
