Over the last nine years, Wolverhampton Grammar School has been inspiring a love of reading amongst the young people of Wolverhampton. During that time, over 82,000 children have been engaged both in-person and virtually, across more than 216 events. 

This year the work of Head Librarian, Zoe Rowley and the Jenyns Library was recognised with a shortlisting for an Independent Schools of the Year Award for Outstanding Educational Partnerships.

A chance to express their views

Zoe has given children a voice and chance to express their views about books by introducing the Wolverhampton Children’s Book Award now in its 5th year and voted for by young readers aged 9 – 13. Introduced last November, the Two Cities Award extended this to teenage readers. The Wolverhampton Young Authors’ Prize, now in its 3rd year encourages pupils in Years 3 to 11 to enter their stories into a competition. This year the winners had their stories recorded by author Cliff McNish. The library is currently running The Bennett Story Garden Writing Competition, offering the opportunity to have your story recorded and added to the garden.

The work of the Jenyns Library is very much at the heart of the School and has touched the lives of so many in our school community but Zoe’s work is known and loved by those far beyond the school walls and has had a far-reaching impact on young lives.

“The links with Zoe and Wolverhampton Grammar School, are enabling greater literacy access and support for our school community. We are a local special school, with students age from 5 – 19 years from across the City with a ranging degree of cognitive, communicative, emotional, and social needs.

The opportunities, Zoe has offered support our curriculum and assist us in raising the profile of reading within our school environment.”

Nicky Payne, Deputy Head, Penn Fields School