Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services

Author: slsadmin

  • World Book Day 2022

    World Book Day 2022

    We are delighted to announce that Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of one of the World Book Day books amongst many others, will be our headline act for World Book Day 2022 – Thursday 3rd March 2022

    We are aiming to put on two live events this year. Rashmi will be at the Genesis Cinema for two events – 10.30am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 2.30pm and will sign copies of her books after each event.

    Rashmi is a British Indian who started out as a lawyer before realising her much better potential as a writer of exciting stories and intriguing non-fiction books for children!  Her non-fiction books include “GOOD NEWS: Why the World Is Not As Bad As You Think”, shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2022, “Never Teach a Stegosaurus To Do Sums”, shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Book Awards 2021, How to Change the World and How to be Extraordinary which detail amazing things women, men and children from many different backgrounds have achieved.  Her new book all about growth mindset and semi-autobiographical, “Yes, You Can, Cow!”, will be hot of the press at the time of her talks.

    Her talk is suitable for KS2 and KS3.

    Booking

    For schools who subscribe to the Schools Library Service, this event is £2.50 per pupil and £4 per pupil for all other schools.

    Please book by 18th February (end of half term) by sending an email, stating morning or afternoon (or “don’t mind”), and the number and year group/s of the children you wish to bring to Gillian.harris@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

  • Disability History Month

    Disability History Month

    December is Disability History Month.

    http://ukdhm.org/

    The Schools Library Service can provide non-fiction and a range of fiction resources featuring children with disabilities.

    Booklists

    Live search results from our catalogue:

    Fiction on the subject of disability

    Non-Fiction about disabilities (primary)

    Picture Books on the subject of disability

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  • Local History

    Local History

    Bespoke local history resource packs created by the Schools Library Services

    This is our history

    In 2022 the Schools Library Services launched ‘This is Our History‘, our local history project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. It covers the following five themes:

    • The Matchgirls’ Strike of 1888
    • The Blitz and the Bombing of the East End
    • East London Bengalis
    • Somali East End
    • London Docklands
    • The Huguenot Silk Weavers (created in memory of Sylvia Cummins with a donation from the Cummins family)

    We have created a suitcase of artefacts and an accompanying booklet to support teaching and learning, teacher activities on related global learning, and an extra allocation of up to thirty books on and around the theme on each of these topics for teachers to borrow.

    For additional information about the project and resources – contact  schoolslibraryservices@towerhamlets.gov.uk

    Tracks through Poplar

    This project created an educational programme for primary school children in Poplar featuring the Trust’s 150-year-old steam locomotive No 70 ‘Poplar’, one of the oldest operational in the UK.

    Global Learning London (GLL) and the Schools Library Services worked with children in the area to co-create an immersive National Curriculum based programme, resulting in Resource Boxes for schools.

    The resource boxes  include materials relating to historic themes such as commuting the 1870s, East End hop picking “holidays” in Kent, and the development of light railways (the K&ESR was the first and the Docklands Light Railway is the latest).

    Pupils studying science and geography will look at sources of energy, changing environmental considerations, and the impact of railway development worldwide; while railway themed stories, poems, music and drawing will help develop English, music and arts skills.

    The Tracks through Poplar resource box

    Tracks through Poplar online resource

    This resource is designed to explore the importance of our railways, East London history and to celebrate the history and significance of steam engines, through key curriculum areas and Global Citizenship themes.

    Each chapter is focussed on a particular theme and contains a mixed media of resources and tools to develop understanding and skills with Key Stage 2 pupils. Most activities are adaptable for other ages, and many involve cross curricular learning. You will find digital materials on the Padlet, linked in each chapter.

    Each chapter stands alone, or you can piece together the sections you want to form a longer learning journey for pupils.

    You can access the Tracks Through Poplar Educational Resource by clicking here.
  • Tower Hamlets Book Award 2021

    Tower Hamlets Book Award 2021

    About the Book Award

    The annual Tower Hamlets Book Award is just one of the exciting events made possible through subscriptions to the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services.

    The Book Award is for pupils aged 10 to 13 (Year 5 and up). The aim is to encourage children to read, to bring children together to enable debate and discussion about books and to encourage children to share the pleasure of reading.

    You can shadow the Book Award in small or not-so-small groups. Have a look at the award timeline below for some ideas of activities.

    Congratulations to Joseph Coelho!

    Joseph became the 15th author to win the coveted Tower Hamlets Book Award for Zombierella

    Brilliantly illustrated by Freya Hartas, this alternative fairytale which proved a hit with both primary and secondary school pupils shadowing and voting in the award.

     

     

     

    The finale!

    Canary Wharf group – as well as buying sets of the shortlisted books for our subscribing schools –  kindly hosted the Book Award grand finale at the fantastic East Wintergarden venue on 2nd December.

    Pupils from over 20 schools were present to meet authors Jasbinder, Ben and Jennifer and enjoy the performances put on by Blue Gate Fields Juniors, Cyril Jackson Primary, Thomas Buxton Primary, Marner Primary, Morpeth School, Stepney All Saints School and Hermitage School.

    Blue Gate Fields took the prize for best presentation with their performance of scenes from ‘The Soup Movement’.

    Jennifer, Ben and Jasbinder award the prize for best performance

    Book Award Timeline and Guidelines

     

    Download as a .pdf

    Book Award Guidelines 2021
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    The shortlist

    THBAShortlist2021 – Download the Shortlist PowerPoint slideshow

    All subscribing schools will receive a free set of the 6 books. Non-subscribers – check out our website for all the great benefits of being a member of a schools library service!

    Schools may order additional sets (with library book jackets) for £45 per set. Please email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk

    The Soup Movement by Ben Davis

    Jordan promises his very good friend Rio he would do an act of kindness whenever he could and help change the world. Was that really why he gave up his mum’s wholesome soup to a homeless man? In any case, that  one small gesture became life-changing, and helped Jordan adjust to a world without Rio.

    Undercover Robot by Dave Edmonds and Bertie Foster

    Year 7 is tough enough without having to pretend you’re a human (and what does it mean to be human, anyway?), but that’s exactly what Dotty has to do. Only she now also has to worry about a boy in her class outing her in order to win a reward…

    The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

    A graphic novel. Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride, or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia – the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

    Zombierella by Joseph Coelho

    A yellow moon hangs in a satin sky the night Cinderella, barefoot and in hand-me-downs, slips at the top of the stairs … and dies. But not for long. Cinderella goes forth as ZOMBIERELLA!. With her skin as cold as ice, can she seek revenge on her three cruel, fake sisters, once and for all?

    Tamarind and the Star of Ishta by Jasbinder Bilan

    Tamarind never knew her Indian mum, Chinty, who died soon after she was born. So when she arrives at her ancestral home, a huge mansion in the Himalayas surrounded by luxuriant gardens, she’s full of questions for her extended family. But instead of answers, she finds only an ominous silence.

    Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell

    After a mysterious explosion on their way to school, three children find themselves trapped aboard The Principia, a science research ship sailing through hazardous waters and captained by Isaac Newton. Lost in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some very unlikely historical heroes to play their way home before time runs out.

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    Art Competition

    Every year we run an art competition based on the shortlist books.

    Pupils are challenged to create an artistic response of their choice to any of the 6 Book Award books.

    Previous competition entries have included…

    • Drawings/ paintings of scenes from the books
    • Poems inspired by the stories
    • Alternative endings/ scenes
    • Comic strips based on the books
    • Character portraits
    • Book cover designs
    • Bookmark designs
    • Models of scenes from the books

    Winners will be awarded a prize at the finale where shortlisted work will be on display (guest authors have been known to request competition entries to put on their websites!).

    Competition deadline

    ALL entries must arrive at the Schools Library Services (PDC, 229 Bethnal Green Road) by the morning of Friday 26th November for judging. Any entries submitted after this date will not be judged!

    Register!

    Registration for the finale will open in September. If you’re shadowing the award in your school, email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk to be added to the THBA mailing list (and to let us know who to send the books and posters to!).

     

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  • KS3 Poetry Slam 2021

    KS3 Poetry Slam 2021

    4th November saw students from Morpeth School and Central Foundation Girls’ School battle it out at the KS3 Slam.

    Students performed in individual and group categories and prizes were awarded for best group performance, best individual performance, and best line.

    Winners were:

    • Best Group : Central Foundation Girls’ School. Zaima Anas, Nasiha Ahmed, Rayah Rahman, Amera Otaifa, Lamisa Oishi and Malieha Choudhury
    • Best Line was written by Amani Islam from Central Foundation Girls’ School. “Her house is a prison and she is losing the key”
    • Best Individual act was Isa Haque (with beatboxing by Michael Sarumi) from Morpeth School

    Our next Slam in 2022 is the Junior Slam for KS2. This will be run alongside the 2022 Creative Writing competition!


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  • Creative Writing Competition 2021

    Creative Writing Competition 2021

    I Am Not Alone

    Click here to go to the theme and writing tips

     

    Prize winners!

    Prizes were awarded on 1st November. Well done to everyone who took part.


    • Winners below are listed in category and prize order
    • Prizes are a voucher/ book token, a certificate and a copy of the book I am not alone featuring their work
    Category Name School Prize
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story Kofi Akanbi Globe School 1st and Best in School Vex
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story James Orpin Globe School 2nd Dino’s Dino friends
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story Ayman Uddin St Johns Primary 3rd The Lonely Bird
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story Rumaisah Minal Wellington Primary Commended The happy monkey
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story Gaia Gessaroli Olga School Commended and Best in School The parrot and the ice cream
    02. Year 1 and 2 Poetry Chaylan Hassan-King St Johns Primary 1st and Best in School Never Ever
    02. Year 1 and 2 Poetry Ruby Goundar Globe School 2nd I’m not alone!
    02. Year 1 and 2 Poetry Laaibah Chowdhury St Johns Primary 3rd I am not alone
    02. Year 1 and 2 Poetry Arnav Nalawade Seven Mills School Commended I’m not alone!
    03. Year 3 and 4 Short Story Yasir Hussain Osmani Primary 1st and Best in School The Zombie apocalypse
    03. Year 3 and 4 Short Story Sameeha Ahmed Wellington Primary 2nd and Best in School Alone in the forest
    03. Year 3 and 4 Short Story Salma Khatun Seven Mills School 3rd and Best in School The Person who was remembered
    03. Year 3 and 4 Short Story Gracie Turner St Johns Primary Commended The fox and the rabbit
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Asiya Hussain Blue Gate Fields Junior 1st (joint) Never think that you’re alone
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Aria Ixchel Khorsand-Martell St Lukes Primary 1st (joint) and Best in School The army of the cells
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Aisha Nabi Arnhem Wharf Primary 2nd and Best in School Never alone
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Zubair Yahya Mayflower School 3rd and Best in School My Life’s world
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Anaya Alom Halley Primary Commended Odd one out
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Daisy Rubin Globe School Commended I am not alone
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Zidan Ahmed Arnhem Wharf Primary Commended Bob, my imaginary friend
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Leila Khelfaoui Bangabhandu Primary 1st and Best in School I am not alone
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Philomena Melchin Blue Gate Fields Junior 2nd and Best in School 2107 days
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Samyath Satish St Lukes Primary 3rd Joint The Christmas Spirit
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Daniel Anangodoi St Mary and St Michael  Primary 3rd Joint and Best in School Pen to paper
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Arafah Rahman Lansbury Lawrence Primary Best in School I am not alone
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Adifah Matubbar Wellington Primary Commended I am not alone : In war
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Maya Hussain Halley Primary Commended DETREVENI
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Omar Raja Arnhem Wharf Primary Commended Alone
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Ehsanul Huq Bonner Bethnal Green Primary Commended and Best in School The Friend Machine
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Katya Flynn Virginia Primary Commended and Best in School When it first began
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Myesha Amin Halley Primary Commended and Best in School The lost island
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Olivier Badzioch Home Educated Commended and Best in School A sense of belonging
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Oma Umo-Chinda Harbinger Primary 1st and Best in School Rising and Alone together
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Abdi Hakim Osman Bigland Green Primary 2nd and Best in School I am not alone
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Lucy Richards St Johns Primary 3rd Light in the dark
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Jiyaad Ahmed Thomas Buxton Primary Best in School Burning
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Zain Rahman Osmani Primary Commended Nai
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Humayra Rahman Hermitage Primary Commended and Best in School Making way for the ones you love
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Sumaya Islam Clara Grant Primary Commended and Best in School My Voice!
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Aoyan Arian and Mohammed Nihal Uddin Bonner Mile End Primary Commended and Best in School Waiting for the end
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Nadia Jamil Central Foundation Girls School 1st and Best in School Her escape
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Samirah Ahmed Central Foundation Girls School 2nd Different ability
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Zaynab Ali Central Foundation Girls School 3rd Save the pangolins
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Anisa Rahman Stepney All Saints Secondary Commended The lonely mansion
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Ayesha Janath Choudhury Central Foundation Girls School Commended You’re never alone with a book…
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Malieha Lemoni Choudhury Central Foundation Girls School Commended Calypso’s island
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Aadi Islam Stepney All Saints Secondary Commended and Best in School Dee
    08. Year 7 – 9 Poetry Yasu Dos Santos Evora Gomes Bishop Challoner Secondary 1st and Best in School Stained with red
    09. Year 10 and 11  Short Story Tamzid Mohamed Morpeth Secondary 1st and Best in School Lone wolf
    09. Year 10 and 11  Short Story Muntaha Zaman Mamiza Stepney All Saints Secondary 2nd The old willow tree
    10. Year 10 and 11 Poetry Shirley Razzak Central Foundation Girls School 1st Honey

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    The Book

    Free copies of the paperback were sent to all winners and their schools. Copies are also available to buy on Amazon
    The Tower Hamlets Creative Writing Competition is an annual event for schools in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for students aged six years to sixteen. Conceived in 2004 by Tower Hamlets Gifted and Talented strand of the Excellence in Cities programme, it has been run by Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service since 2011 with the aims of promoting wider reading and literacy, and to encourage young people to express themselves through the written word. Research carried out during the 2020 competition showed that pupils participating in the competition and in the author workshops benefited by gaining confidence in their writing ability and developing greater insight into the issues raised by the competition themes

    We are thrilled to announce that Arts Council England has again awarded Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service with a grant to enhance our annual Creative Writing Competition with author-led creative writing workshops for schools, Idea Stores and home-educated children.

    Register for the competition

    This section is for schools only. Parents/ students do not need to register separately

    In order to enter the competition, receive posters, entry forms and flyers, and take advantage of these free author workshops, schools need to:

    • enter the competition by “buying” it via SLAonline (Creative Writing Competition 2021)
    • email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk letting us know who is to lead on running this event in your school.
    • use the form below to book your workshops

    The grant also enables us to produce a book of the winning entries.

    The competition judges

    The two judges for this year’s competition

     

    Ken Wilson-Max is a writer and illustrator. born and raised in Zimbabwe he has been nominated for the Astrid Lingren Memorial Award (ALMA) 2021 and the Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Awards 2019. In 2020 he was winner of the STEAM AWARD for Early Years picturebooks.
    Currently working on the book ‘Grandma’s Hair’, Ken is well known for ‘Astro Girl’ and the ‘Lenny and Wilbur’ series.
    Ken will be judging the poems and stories from children in years 1 to 4.

    Polly Ho-Yen writes stories rooted in reality but with science fiction and other fantastical elements. Most well known for ‘The Boy in the Tower’, Polly’s other books are ‘Where Monsters Lie’ and ‘Fly me Home’ (both nominated for the Carnegie medal), ‘My Other Life’, and ‘Two Sides’ for younger children.

    Polly will be judging the poems and stories from children in years 5 and up.

     

    Author Workshops

    Arts Council England provided a grant to fund writing workshops for pupils taking part in the competition. They were offered to all age groups to support their writing.


    Approaching the theme

    The Theme, ideas and writing advice

    ‘I am not alone’

    Writers may interpret this theme in any way they wish. A selection of prompts and ideas are listed below, but you don’t need to use one of these.

    Story choices

    • What genre and style do you want to write in? Genres include; Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Horror?
    • Who are the main characters and what are they doing in the story?
    • Because we don’t have long to get involved in your story – how do you make the reader interested in the characters or their situations?
    • If it’s a poem, what sort of poem is it? Is it in rhyme, a narrative poem? Is it meant to be read aloud?

    Here are some narrative ideas that fit around the theme. Many of them can be adapted for different age-groups, though some will be more suitable for older writers.

    Linking to current events

    Covid and lockdown

    • isolation and being/ feeling as though you’re alone
    • Supporting and helping others – being there for someone who needs help
    • Letting people know that they don’t have to cope alone

    Brexit

    • Globalisation and being part of an interconnected world
    • Taking sides, argument and polarisation

    Protest, including Black Lives Matter

    • Being part of a movement and a force for change
    • Identity and self
    • Affecting change – can lots of people together start a movement to make things better?
    • Fighting back, challenging others and standing up for your ideals
    • Being protected – having others on your side

    Friendship and friends

    • There are lots of stories based around friendship!
    • Finding friends and making new friends
    • Needing to seek help from our friends
    • Loneliness and losing friends
    • Having an imaginary friend – what do they get up to?
    • Pets and faithful animals

    Sometimes we can achieve more when we’re not alone…

    • Affecting change – can lots of people together start a movement to make things better?
    • Politics – democracy and voting
    • Protest and activism
    • Fighting back, challenging others and standing up for your ideals
    • Being protected – having others on your side

    Global issues

    • Can we ever be alone in a connected world?
    • Having responsibility for others, whoever they are
    • Interdependence – understanding how people, wherever and whoever they are in the world, are connected.

    Aliens, the unknown and the supernatural

    • Are we alone in the universe?
    • Ghosts, the afterlife and being haunted

    Other groups

    • Many animals live in packs, and would not survive alone.
    • Sports team require people to work together – can you write a sports story?

    Families and communities

    • Lots of stories are about families and communities (the good things and the bad things!)
    • We don’t often get to choose our family or the community we live in
    • Expectations – how are we shaped by our family and community? How many choices do we have?
    • Change due to new arrivals in the family

    Sometimes ‘more’ isn’t better…

    • ‘Ganging up’ on someone and being part of a gang
    • Herd mentality and not thinking for yourself – if you’re not alone, do you sometimes just go along with the crowd?
    • Sometimes lots of people can be persuaded to do the wrong thing…
    • Threatening others, or being threatened

    Not being alone and wishing to be alone

    • Sometimes the problem is other people!
    • “Hell is other people” : Jean-Paul Sartre. Are we trapped by other people’s judgements of ourselves?
    • Being trapped with others
    • Unwanted attention – being chased, followed or stalked
    • Being watched and under observation

    Religion, belonging and faith

    • Are you ever really alone if you have belief in a god or gods?
    • Does being part of a religion mean you have less personal choice?
    • Having a guardian angel

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    Writing resource links

    Links to BBC Bitesize resources on story writing

     

     

     

     

     

    Other creative writing links:

    Once upon a picture Images to prompt discussion, creative writing and more
    Pobble 365 Visually inspired daily updated writing challenges

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    Examples of books and stories that could be related to the theme

    Picture books

    • The lion inside by Rachel bright (being ignored and wanting to stand out)
    • Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival (standing out and being different)
    • Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph (standing out and being the odd one out)
    • Five little Fiends by Sarah Dyer (Sharing, and how things can go wrong through keeping things to yourselves)
    • The Pumpkin Soup series by Helen Cooper (Friends who are quite different but who support each other and work together)
    • The Katie Morag Stories by Mairi Hedderwick (Stories set in a close-knit community)
    • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (a child, shut in their bedroom, conjures imaginary friends)
    • Little Beauty by Anthony Brown (A Gorilla in a zoo is lonely and finds a loyal friend)
    • Three Monsters by David McKee (welcoming strangers / sharing / acceptance)
    • Willy and Hugh by Anthony Brown (having a friend to help stand up to bullies)
    • Changes by Anthony Brown (a new arrival in the family, meaning that the main character is no longer an only child)
    • Voices in the park by Anthony Brown (Making friends with someone from a different background)
    • Matilda’s Cat by Emily Gravett (a beloved pet)

    Picture books for older readers

    • The Island by Armin Greder (Imaginary and expressionist – exploring isolationism and prejudice against immigrants and refugees)
    • The Arrival by Shaun Tan (A refugee who meets and makes friends in his new home)
    • The Red Tree by Shaun Tan (Being alone but still finding comfort)
    • The Rabbits by John Marsden and Shaun Tan (Australia and colonialism/ invasion of the home by a hostile culture)
    • The Little Island by Smriti Prasadam-Halls (UK – a satirical look at Brexit and the perils of what happens when you think you can go it alone)

    Fiction

    • An Island of Our Own by Sally Nicholls (A family of orphaned children help each other to find a hidden treasure)
    • The Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho Yen (A community trapped in a tower block helping each other during a crisis)
    • Varjak Paw by S F Said (A homeless cat finds and helps his new friends with the assistance of the spirit of an ancestral guardian who visits him in dreams…)
    • Wundersmith : the Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (finding acceptance and a new family amongst friends)
    • The house with Chicken Legs by (loneliness and coming to terms with it)
    • The Imaginary by A F Harold (an imaginary friend)
    • The Light Jar by Lisa Thompson (ghosts and imaginary friends)
    • The Wildings by Nilanjana Roy (a pack of wild cats fighting for survival)
    • The Malamander by Thomas Taylor (friendship, working together and being stalked and followed)

    Traditional Tales

    • Hansel and Gretel (siblings keeping each other safe)
    • Cinderella (suddenly having to deal with unpleasant new arrivals in the family!)

    Non Fiction

    • We’re all equal by Georgia Amson-Bradshaw (global citizenship)
    • Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai (and other books about Malala)
    • I am not a label : 34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present by Cerrie Burnell
    • Children who changed the world by Marcia Williams
    • Stand up, stand out! : 25 rebel heroes who stood up for their beliefs – and how they could inspire you by Kay Woodward
    • Amazing Muslims who changed the world by Burhana Islam
    • Young Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson
    • Climate Rebels by Ben Lerwell
    • Kid scientists : true tales of childhood from science superstars by David Stabler
    • Peace and Me by Ali Winter (Nobel Peace Prize)
    • She persisted around the world : 13 women who changed history by Chelsea Clinton
    • Little leaders : bold women in black history by Vashti Harrison
    • 101 awesome women who transformed science by Claire Philip

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    The Prizes

    Prizes up to £50 for the winners in each category plus a copy of the book

    The Competition

    In 2021 there will be 5 age groups in the competition:

    • Group 1 : Years 1 & 2
    • Group 2 : Years 3 & 4
    • Group 3 : Years 5 & 6
    • Group 4 : Years 7 to 9
    • Group 5 : Years 10 & 11

    Entries

    Emailing your work

    Important note to all entrants.

    Please do not send links to your work on Google Docs or other cloud networks as we can’t always access these.
    Entries by email MUST be an attached file.

    • Write a short story up to 500 words (Primary) and 750 words (Secondary)
      • may also be an illustrated story or comic book
    • Write a poem or verse story up to 25 lines (Primary) and 35 lines (Secondary)
    • Poems and stories must follow the competition theme

    Pupils may enter both the short story and poetry categories. The competition deadline is Friday 28th May 2021. Entrants should  complete their work in time in order for it to reach the Schools Library Service by this date.

    Entries should be :

    • emailed to : jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk as an attachment. Please do not send links to Google Docs or similar cloud storage OR
    • posted to : Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services, PDC, 229 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6AB
    • and must include the information below.
    1. Writer’s name (including surname! Entries that can’t be traced to the correct pupil will be disqualified)
    2. Year group (age if home schooled)
    3. School (parents’/ carers’ contact email if home schooled)
    4. Class teacher/ English teacher (parent’s/ carer’s name if home schooled)
    5. The category being entered (select from below)
    • Years 1 & 2 Short Story / Poetry
    • Years 3 & 4 Short Story / Poetry
    • Years 5 & 6 Short Story / Poetry
    • Years 7 to 9 Short Story / Poetry
    • Years 10 and 11 Short Story / Poetry
    1. Title of work (untitled winning entries will be given a title by the competition judges)

     

    Rules

    All entries must be received by the Schools Library Services by Friday 28th May 2021.

    Prize Giving: Monday 19th July at Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf (relaxation of social distancing rules permitting)

    Content

    • Entries must be appropriate to the theme!
    • Entries should not be adaptations/ sequels to other writers’ or poets’ published work (including stories, comic books or films), however alternative versions of fairy tales/ myths and legends will be accepted.
    • Entries must not use existing characters from published work (e.g. Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, Dennis the Menace, Harry Potter), including illustrations. This constitutes a breach of copyright and these entries cannot be published.
    • All entries must be the entrant’s own work, including all illustrations. All work shortlisted for a prize will be thoroughly checked and plagiarised writing and artwork will be disqualified. Please remind your pupils that copying work isn’t allowed! This happens ludicrously often. Seriously – even if someone pirates a film they don’t then try to claim that they directed it. Stop it. It’s not big and it’s not clever.

    Boring but important

    • Entries can be cooperative efforts. Any prizes will be split equally between the named entrants.
    • Entries without entrant’s full name, school name and competition category will not be eligible for judging.
    • Each page should have the entrant’s full name written clearly on it
    • Entries must be written or typed on one side of the page only
    • Work should be in black or blue ink or text on white paper
    • No decorative fonts unless they directly contribute to the writing/ storytelling
    • If you are illustrating your work, all artwork must be in black and white for consideration for the printed book
    • We will contact all winners via their school (or parents/ carers if home schooled) in May.
    • Work will not be automatically returned to entrants but can be collected on request after the competition closes. The Schools Library Services can take no responsibility for lost or damaged work.

    Privacy notice

    Commended and winning entries to be published in eBook and print formats. By entering the competition, entrants are giving permission for their work (including their name) to be published and distributed in these formats, and all supplied information including name and contact details to be held by the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services. Copyright on poems and stories will remain with the author(s). Supplied information, including names and contact details, of competition entrants who do not win prizes will not be stored beyond the duration of the event.

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  • Covid-19 guidance

    Covid-19 guidance

    Revised 05/07/2021

    Coronavirus and schools library resources FAQs

    Q. What measures have been taken to ensure resources from the Schools Library Service are risk-free?

    Guidance from the COVID-19 Guidance Cell of Public Health England’s National Infection Service, as advised to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 27 March 2020 states: –

    • The risk from books covered in a plastic cover handled by someone who is a possible COVID-19 case is negligible after 72 hours.
    • The risk from books with a cardboard/paper cover is negligible after 24 hours.

    Resources returned to the Schools Library Services will be quarantined for 72 hours prior to handling by staff.

    After resources are issued and packed, there will be a sticker on each crate delivered giving the date the resources were last handled. We advise that you follow your own organisation’s procedure when unpacking.

    We will continue to follow these procedures after July 2021

    Q. How long should books be quarantined for if they have been handled by someone who is a possible COVID-19 case?

    Guidance from the COVID-19 Guidance Cell of Public Health England’s National Infection Service, as advised to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 27 March 2020 states: –

    • The risk from books covered in a plastic cover handled by someone who is a possible COVID-19 case is negligible after 72 hours.
    • The risk from books with a cardboard/paper cover is negligible after 24 hours.

    Q. Where can I find a risk assessment template for school libraries?

    CILIP and the School Library Association have produced guidelines and risk assessment templates for the safe opening of primary and secondary school libraries

    CILIP, SLG & SLA (2020) COVID-19 Guidance for School Libraries. Available: https://www.cilip.org.uk/news/news.asp?id=506793

     

    Example of how one primary school librarian is making books available to all classes

    Select 120 – 200 books from the library for each classroom

    On a set day each week, each pupil choses a book from this pool. They return the book 4 days later, which allows for a quarantine period of 72 hours until the next borrowing day. This may be calculated to allow children to read at home over the weekend or to keep books within the classroom space.

    Sample timetable:

    • Thursday: Pupils select a book or books
    • Friday – Sunday: Reading period
    • Monday morning: Books returned and put in box allocated as “quarantine bin”
    • Monday – Wednesday: Quarantine period

    Younger children borrowing picture books and early readers would take more than one book at a time to read during the loan period.

    These pools of books could be regularly refreshed as needed or upon request.

    Small groups of children in “bubbles” can be timetabled to visit the library. They should sanitise their hands before handling the books, and book covers can be cleaned with anti-bacterial wipes as necessary.

  • Junior Poetry Slam 2021

    Junior Poetry Slam 2021

    11 schools competed for prizes over two slams on Thursday 10th June.

    Junior Slambassadors is brought to your schools in partnership with The Poetry Society, with support from Amal Fund of the Said Foundation and Samuel Butler Educational Foundation.

    The Junior Slam places poets-in-residence within schools to coach pupils not just in writing poetry, but in group and solo performance.

    Due to Covid, the events had to be held online, but the amazing Kat Francois made it feel like a live event as the emcee.

    More info about Junior Slambassadors

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    Performances and awards!

    Videos of the schools’ performances will be linked to here as soon as we receive permission forms!

    Morning Finale

    Best Poem : Harbinger School – Oma Umo
    “say my name in a hundred different ways”
    “I am black, I am white, a million shades”
    “I am me and that is enough”

    Best individual Performance : Osmani School – Ayaan R

    Best Line : Cayley School – Ra’Eesa

    “My religion (Islam) is as peaceful as the blazing orange sunset, reflecting on the transparent ocean.”

    Best Group Performance : St Saviours School – Olivia, Emmanuella, Shyamak, Joel, Aliana, Finley, Ejaz, Daniella, Alysa, Sumlina

    Outstanding Effort for individual and group performances : Woolmore School

    Best Support : St Pauls Whitechapel

    Afternoon finale

    Best Poem : St John’s School (Group Poem)

    Best individual Performance : Hermitage School – Cuillin

    Best Line : Lansbury Lawrence School (Kahlo class)  – Imeteyez
    “it’s still fresh cos it’s desh – my freshie blood is fresher than fresh water lakes”

    Best Group Performance : Lansbury Lawrence School (Lichtenstein Class)

    Outstanding Effort : Thomas Buxton School (Group poem)

    Best Support : William Davis School

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  • Global perspectives book lists

    Global perspectives book lists

    Supporting anti-racism in schools

    Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service and Global Learning London have always placed racial justice at the heart of what we do. Black perspectives and the global dimension to the curriculum are at the core of our collection and balanced representation is at the core of our event planning.

    We have published a dedicated diversity booklist for primary and secondary schools. In the addition, all of our THBA, Teen, TakeOff and Must Read booklists contain lots of new books by UK and international authors featuring diverse themes and characters.

    Teachers have a crucial role in educating children about the racial injustices of the past, and which continue to manifest in the present, enabling an understanding of the issues at stake and nurturing within all children a pride in their heritage.  One of the ways in which we can support this is by recommending high-quality fiction so that children can find themselves in books and stories as well as use story to learn about the experiences and lives of others.

    These are a selection of over 150 books suitable for children and teens in primary and secondary schools, categorised by the continent and country in which the book is set and by the race/ heritage of the main character(s)  For more, or to discuss your requirements, please contact the Schools Library Service.

    Diverse Fiction, including Black and Asian perspectives

    Updated 17th November 2025 (4th revision)

    CLICK HERE FOR A .PDF COPY OF THE FULL LIST

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