Warwickshire Heritage Learning is celebrating after being awarded the prestigious Sandford Award,
The award is a nationally recognised quality mark that celebrates excellence in heritage education across museums, galleries, archives and heritage organisations.
The award, which is valid for five years, places Warwickshire Heritage Learning alongside some of the UK's leading heritage organisations, including Bletchley Park, Hampton Court Palace, The National Archives, The Tower of London, The Mary Rose Trust, The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Dover Castle and the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
The achievement recognises the dedication, expertise and ongoing development of Warwickshire Heritage Learning's schools programme, which has been carefully developed and refined over a number of years.
The Sandford Award assessment is a rigorous, evidence-based process which evaluates every stage of a school's experience, from the first point of contact through to the visit itself. Assessors review the information available to schools, including accessibility resources such as videos that help SEND pupils prepare for unfamiliar environments. Communication processes, health and safety procedures, and the quality of planning provided to schools are also scrutinised.
The assessment also examines how learning programmes are developed and evaluated to ensure they meet curriculum requirements and respond to the needs of teachers and pupils. A key strength of Warwickshire Heritage Learning's offer is its focus on local history, drawing upon the rich collections of Warwickshire Museum and Warwickshire County Record Office to bring the county's stories to life. These local stories are carefully connected to nationally significant events and figures featured within the history curriculum.
Schools taking part in workshops at St John's House and other Heritage and Culture Warwickshire sites benefit from a wide range of engaging learning experiences. Children are encouraged to explore Warwickshire's past through interactive activities including drama, storytelling and the handling of original historic objects. Additional resources and support are available to ensure SEND pupils can fully access and enjoy the learning opportunities on offer.
Cllr Darren Cheshire, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Culture, said ‘Receiving the Sandford Award is a fantastic achievement and recognises the dedication, expertise and enthusiasm of our whole team. We are proud of our county’s heritage and if that is to be preserved it needs high-quality learning experiences that support schools and inspire young people to engage with history in Warwickshire and neighbouring counties. WE are fortunate that our team has deservedly established a stellar reputation for inspiring our young minds."
As part of the assessment process, an independent assessor reviewed Warwickshire Heritage Learning's application and supporting documentation before visiting St John's House to observe a school trip in action. Following the visit, a detailed report highlighted areas of strength and provided recommendations for continued development.
David Walker, Lead Assessor for the Sandford Award, said: "Children visiting St John's House in Warwick will experience a busy and enjoyable day of activities which will interest and excite them as they learn about local and national events, and people who have shaped our history. With the exclusive use of such an imposing historic building, including 'hands-on' experiences in the atmospheric Victorian Schoolroom and Kitchen, the children are actively engaged throughout the day.
Based on thorough research and making good use of the resources of the County Record Office and Museum Collections, the sessions offer a high level of heritage learning which is delivered by a dedicated team of professionals."
Warwickshire Heritage Learning hopes the award will further strengthen its reputation as a leading provider of heritage education and encourage even more schools to explore the rich history and collections cared for by Heritage and Culture Warwickshire.
For more information about Warwickshire Heritage Learning, visit: https://heritage.warwickshire.gov.uk/heritagelearning
More information about Heritage and Culture Warwickshire is available online: https://heritage.warwickshire.gov.uk/