Sarah Pavey, our School Librarian representative, looks at how the new Education Policy may impact school librarians.
Following the 2024 UK general election, the Labour Party now will be putting the pledges in its manifesto into practice. Indeed, it has laid out a series of ambitious aims for education reform. While not explicitly mentioning school libraries or librarians, many of these proposals could have significant implications for our profession, particularly in the realms of media, information, and digital literacy. How might these potential changes reshape the landscape for school librarians and the vital role we play in supporting student learning? Here are some points for reflection.
Curriculum and Assessment Reform: An Opportunity for Information Literacy?
Labour’s manifesto promises an “expert-led review of curriculum and assessment,” aiming to deliver a curriculum that is “rich and broad, inclusive, and innovative.” This review presents a golden opportunity for school librarians to advocate for the inclusion of information literacy as a core component of the curriculum.
As information professionals, we understand the importance of teaching students how to navigate the increasingly complex digital information landscape. A modernised curriculum could potentially incorporate into lessons elements of:
- Evaluating online sources
- Understanding media bias
- Recognising misinformation, disinformation and malinformation
- Effective research techniques
- Ethical use of information
Although it can be argued that some of these aspects are already included at secondary school level, unlike many of our European counterparts, currently it tends to be positioned within specific subjects such as computing, citizenship and media studies which are studied by relatively few students. Even within the PHSE and RSE curricula there is no guarantee that all students will be given instruction and opportunities to practice these competencies formally.
School librarians are uniquely positioned to lead these initiatives, collaborating with teachers to integrate information literacy skills across all subject areas. Our expertise in curating high-quality resources and teaching research skills could become even more valuable in this new educational landscape. Maybe even “information literacy” will become accepted and understood terminology.
The Push for Creativity and Vocational Subjects
The Labour Party manifesto emphasises support for children to study creative or vocational subjects until age 16, ensuring “accountability measures reflect this.” This focus on creativity aligns well with the innovative programming many school libraries already offer, such as makerspaces, coding clubs, and digital media production.
As librarians, we might see increased demand for resources and support in these areas. This could lead to exciting opportunities to expand our collections and services, potentially including:
- Enhanced digital media creation tools
- Expanded makerspace resources
- Increased collaboration with music, art, and design technology departments
Our role in supporting both traditional and digital literacies positions us perfectly to bridge the gap between creative expression and information skills.
Digital Literacy and Early Interventions
Labour’s pledge to “do the same” for numeracy as phonics has done for reading suggests a renewed focus on foundational skills. While this primarily refers to mathematical literacy, it could open the door for discussions about media, information and digital literacy as another fundamental skill for the 21st century.
The manifesto also mentions funding “evidence-based early-language interventions in primary schools.” School librarians could play a crucial role in these interventions, particularly in promoting early digital literacy alongside traditional reading skills. We might see increased collaboration with early years educators to develop programmes that introduce young learners to age-appropriate digital resources and basic information evaluation skills. Perhaps this may even promote the idea of qualified librarians in primary schools as in many Nordic and East European countries especially.
Mental Health Support and Information Access
The promise to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school presents another area where school librarians can make a significant impact. We’re often on the front lines when it comes to student wellbeing, and our libraries serve as safe spaces for many students. While we are not mental health specialists ourselves and should not be offering advice directly on mental wellbeing strategies, in this new landscape, we might:
- Curate resources on mental health and wellbeing
- Collaborate with school counsellors to provide information literacy support for students seeking health information
- Develop programmes that promote digital wellness and responsible online behaviour
The Ofsted Shake-up and School Libraries
Labour’s plan to replace single headline Ofsted grades with a new report card system could have implications for how school libraries are evaluated. While the details are yet to be determined, this change might provide an opportunity to highlight the diverse ways in which school libraries contribute to student success beyond traditional metrics.
We should be prepared to advocate for the inclusion of information literacy skills, digital competencies, and library usage in these new evaluation frameworks. This could lead to a greater recognition of the school library’s central role in supporting student achievement across all areas of the curriculum.
Professional Development and Qualified Status
The manifesto’s emphasis on ensuring all teachers have or are working towards qualified teacher status, along with the introduction of a teacher training entitlement, raises questions about the professional status of school librarians.
While not directly addressed, this focus on qualifications and ongoing professional development could spark discussions about:
- The role of qualified librarians in schools
- Opportunities for school librarians to engage in continuous professional development
- Potential for closer alignment between teacher and librarian qualifications in the school setting
As a profession, we should be prepared to raise the awareness for recognition of our specialised skills and the importance of having qualified information professionals in schools.
Technology and Data in Education
Labour’s pledge to improve data sharing across services with a single unique identifier for children suggests an increased focus on data-driven decision making in education. This could have implications for how we manage and share library data, as well as how we teach students about data privacy and digital citizenship.
School librarians may need to:
- Enhance their own data literacy skills
- Develop new programmes to teach students about personal data management
- Collaborate with IT departments on data protection and privacy policies
Embracing Change and Opportunity
While the Labour manifesto does not explicitly mention school libraries, it’s clear that many of their proposed changes could significantly impact our profession. As school librarians, we must be prepared to adapt, advocate, and seize new opportunities to demonstrate our value in this changing educational landscape as the changes are taking place.
The potential reforms in curriculum, assessment, and accountability measures present a chance to embed information literacy more deeply into the educational framework. The focus on creativity, vocational skills, and mental health aligns well with the holistic support many school libraries already provide.
As we move forward, it’s crucial that we:
- Stay informed about policy developments
- Advocate for the inclusion of information literacy in curriculum reforms
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders
- Continually update our skills to meet evolving educational needs
- Demonstrate the impact of our work on student achievement and wellbeing
By embracing these changes and positioning ourselves as essential partners in delivering Labour’s educational vision, we can ensure that we continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of education in the UK. The road ahead may be challenging, but it’s also filled with exciting possibilities for our profession to make an even greater impact on the lives of the students we serve.
References
Department for Education (2014) The National Curriculum. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum
The Labour Party (2024) Change: The Labour Party Manifesto 2024. https://labour.org.uk/change/
