Schools in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and other authorities the opportunity to accredit their library service via our award scheme.
What is the award?
Launched in 2012, the SLS School Library Award was initiated by Warwickshire Schools Library Service and are now available to all schools through SLS-UK. It enables any primary or secondary school to work towards achieving a Library award or the Gold version for high-achieving services.
The award is a self-assessment process conducted by the designated member of staff in charge of the library and endorsed by the Head Teacher. It is an audit of 20 key activities with supporting documentation where necessary.
Schools record across three levels how their library service is operating in a range of activities and services:
Developing Establishing Enhancing
An award is given to a school where the library is achieving 10 or more separate activities / services in the ‘establishing’ and/or ‘enhancing’ category. A Gold award is given for 15 or more services in the ‘enhancing’ category only.
How do schools apply?
Order your pack when you subscribe to Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service using SLA online, or, for schools outside Tower Hamlets, email schoolslibraryservices@towerhamlets.gov.uk for an application pack, marking your subject line Tower Hamlets SLS School Library Award
Please ensure your full name, job title and school name are in the body of the email.
The award is open to all schools. If you are from an area where there is a nearer schools library service, we may pass your request on to them.
- Schools subscribing to Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services: £50
- Schools not subscribing to our service, but have membership of the School Library Association: £60
- All other schools: £70.
We will send you the pack together with an invoice for the fee, unless you pay via SLA online.
Using the audit sheet in the pack, the designated library or literacy specialist will need to complete the assessment form and return it to us signed by him/herself as well as the head teacher.
Staff from the Schools Library Service will assess the submission and make an award to the school via a certificate as appropriate. Their decision is final, but a school will usually be welcome to re-submit following a minimum six-month gap
