Yarm School’s ‘Human Library’ Brings Storytelling to Life

Yarm School has brought an innovative global movement to the classroom, hosting its first-ever ‘Human Library’ to celebrate diversity and the power of storytelling.

Coinciding with the National Year of Reading 2026, the event saw pupils ‘borrowing’ human beings instead of books, engaging in open conversations designed to challenge stereotypes and ignite the imagination.

Originating in Denmark in 2000, the Human Library creates a safe space where volunteers function as ‘books’ to be ‘read’ by the public. At the Yarm event, seven ‘human books’ were curated from the local community, each representing unique life experiences. Titles included an economic migrant, a world champion triathlete, and a highly experienced psychotherapist.

Pupils from across the school were invited to ask questions and explore the ‘chapters’ of the volunteers’ lives. The sessions encouraged students to look beyond the front cover, sparking curiosity about perspectives different from their own.

Manha A, a First Year pupil, said: “It was not like reading a normal book at all. It let me meet the author in person and hear what they thought first-hand, instead of reading it in a book where it would have been thought through many times.
“I learnt many life lessons from people who had already learnt them through trial and error, and it made me realise how important life is. It only happens once.”

Dot W, Third Year, added: “It made me realise how much these people’s experiences have shaped them and placed them on different paths that, at twenty years old, they would never have dreamed of.”

The initiative was organised by Mrs Bridle and Mrs Dugdale, driven by a shared passion for inclusion and the transformative power of words.

Mrs Bridle said: “We wanted to bring an innovative approach to reading and inclusion to Yarm. This event allowed us to embrace storytelling and recognise the value of exploring stories, ideas, and people.

“By showing that stories are powerful, personal, and exciting, we hope that our pupils are inspired to pick up books and keep reading beyond the classroom.”

Huge thanks to Richard, Tim, Mike, Linda, Jutta, David, Eugene and Andrew for volunteering your time and your stories as ‘Human Books’; your willingness to share your experience has provided our readers with a unique and invaluable perspective.

Following the success of the pilot, Yarm School aims to establish the Human Library as an annual event and would warmly welcome volunteers from the wider community to act as ‘books’ for the next session. If you, or someone you know, would enjoy being part of this story-telling experience, please contact Mrs Dugdale.