Worthing primary school’s award for library dedicated to teaching assistant who passed away

The awards celebrated Thomas A’Becket Infant School’s renovation of its library, now named The Shore in tribute to teaching assistant Emily Shaw, who sadly passed away at the start of 2024.

The awards ceremony, held at the end of last year at The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) in London, brought together school librarians, past award winners, SLA members, and sector colleagues to recognise innovation and excellence in school library services.

The event was hosted by SLA CEO Victoria Dilly and acclaimed author and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz CBE.

Thomas A’Becket’s library renovation project transformed the space into a welcoming, inspiring environment that reflects the needs and interests of its pupils. The library now stands as a centre for learning, curiosity, and community connection.

In her acceptance speech, the school’s deputy head teacher Collette Wade, joined by Emily Shaw’s parents, emphasised the community spirit that drove the project: “Creating The Shore was a project that truly united us – the love, kindness, and contributions that we found in our local community was amazing.

"It was all about the children. We kept the library project completely secret from our pupils, and it was incredible to see the children’s faces when they walked into the space for the first time. The legacy of this project will live on.”

The award recognises Thomas A’Becket’s commitment to fostering a love of reading, supporting learning, and creating a space that brings joy across generations.

Anthony Horowitz, who presented the awards, highlighted the vital role of school libraries, saying: “School libraries are the beating heart of a school. They are places where all children are welcome, where empathy and curiosity are nurtured, and where the joy of reading can be discovered by every pupil.”

Victoria Dilly, CEO of the SLA, added: “The positive difference a well-run library and dedicated librarian can make to a whole school community cannot be overstated. These awards celebrate that impact and show why investment in school libraries should be a priority in every school.”

The Thomas A’Becket Infant School community celebrates this recognition, reflecting the vision, creativity, and dedication that made The Shore a reality.