A school librarian, loved by staff and students alike, has been awarded a place on the prestigious School Librarian of the Year (Secondary) Honours List at the SLA awards 2022.
Lauren Chatley was awarded on Thursday, (22 September) after pushing herself out of her comfort zone during the nomination process by promoting her work at Bedford School.
“The whole process has been a humbling experience because at each stage I have felt very grateful that people within the school recognise and appreciate what I do,” said Lauren.
“It has also prompted lots of reflection and I have found myself asking, ‘Are we doing things the best way we can?’ and ‘what can we develop further?’”
Since joining Bedford School two-and-a-half years ago, Lauren has aimed to make the library a more welcoming and inclusive space, which she has achieved through the ‘Reading for Wellbeing’ programme.
Working closely with the Head of PSHE, Lauren and her team have ensured that whenever issues are raised in PSHE or pastoral focus periods, reading lists and displays are presented around the library on these issues.
Lauren bolsters reading material with podcasts and websites, circulars outlining readings as well as running popular successful events, such as ‘Boardgame Friday’ for boys who may not be confident in all areas of school life.
Lauren has also organised sections in the library for topical book displays and has introduced some more modern texts, such as manga and graphic novels, whilst still offering traditional texts.
“Already, we are seeing the boys really getting into their books, which, when they first took them out, they weren’t expecting to,” said Lauren.
“Conversations are starting to be heard in the library during their sessions, which has gone a long way to building a reading culture.
“While, as a school, we already have a strong academic reading culture, these initiatives encourage our ‘reading for pleasure’ aims,” Lauren said.
Director of Teaching and Learning at Bedford School, Will Montgomery, said: “Lauren is a true educator, committed to making sure that all pupils benefit from the library, whether as a focused academic, curious teenager, or simply as a pupil looking for somewhere to belong.
“She is ambitious because she believes that she is here to make a genuine difference, and from the moment she arrived she has done just that.”
The judges at the ceremony said: “From a very academic setting Lauren has managed to introduce a much more relaxed atmosphere to the school’s library.
“She is loved by staff and students alike. She has inspired all her staff by empowering them to develop their skills; as a consequence, they all love their work.
“Her outstanding organisational skills mean that the pupils collaborate with her and all feel that ‘everything is easy’. Her relaxed nature makes finding and requesting books a fun and easy process. Lauren was called “a breath of fresh air” by many members of staff.
“The students commented that the library is now a warm place. “It is not teachers versus students but teachers with students.”
