The Shortlisting Panel

Debbie is the Lead School Improvement Adviser for English across Kingston and Richmond schools, but she has been a teacher, leader and inspector in lots of different settings. Debbie also loves working as a Regional Associate for CLPE - which is where her love of children's literature is nurtured. She has always enjoyed reading, but is now privileged to have a job where she has to read children's books all the time! Debbie can't wait to get started on the submissions for our first year of the awards - and is looking forward to many more!

Deborah is the KS2 Senior SENCo, Assistant & Librarian at St Richard’s CE Primary, Ham. A lifelong lover of reading, she - and the school - are very excited to be part of this inaugural award. She is looking forward to having some great new books to recommend to children as they start on their independent reading journeys.

Gavin is a Librarian on the Children and Communities Team in Richmond upon Thames Libraries, where he is responsible for buying the stock for children and teenagers. He has been a Children’s Librarian for over twenty years and was a Primary Teacher for 12 years prior to that. He is really looking forward to hearing more about what children really want when they are looking for a good book.

Janine is an English Lead and Year 6 class teacher in Kingston and a reading enthusiast! She is extremely excited to be part of something so worthwhile.

Scott has taught at Barnes Primary School since 2007. At the moment, he leads Lower KS2 and has recently been appointed to the role of English Lead. Having worked there for quite a while, Scott regularly sees the effect a well-chosen text can have on young minds. Children's literature inspires creativity, develops emotional intelligence and helps children to understand the world they live in. He is so excited to be part of this award and can't wait to immerse himself in lots more high quality children's literature.

Yasmin is the Reading and Phonics Lead at Green Lane Primary and Nursery School in Worcester Park. One of her biggest passions is reading and introducing children to that 'special book' that will captivate them and open their eyes to a world of possibilities.