LEICESTER’S museums have once again been recognised with a prestigious education award.
The Sandford Award for Heritage Education – a scheme managed by the Heritage Education Trust – acknowledges the quality of the curriculum enrichment sessions offered by the city’s museums.
Leicester retained the award after a stringent assessment process, which included a judge visiting Leicester Museum & Art Gallery to observe learning sessions and interview staff, teachers and participants.
Each award is valid for five years.
“Retaining the Sandford Award in 2024, after winning it in 2019, is a welcome endorsement of the continuing quality of the education programme we offer,” said assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster.
“I’m very proud of the sessions we run that help bring the curriculum to life.
“Our ‘Life in Ancient Egypt: Meet the Mummies’ enrichment session bring schools back to the museum year after year, with children learning about the Ancient Egyptian civilisation in a gallery full of fantastic objects and artefacts.
“I hope that this latest Sandford Award will reinforce schools’ confidence in our service, reassuring them that when they book a session with us, their visit will be well planned and their students will enjoy a high-quality learning experience.”
The museums’ popular learning programme reaches more than 24,000 schoolchildren each year while generating a profit for the service – money that goes straight back into the city’s museums.
In its citation, the Heritage Education Trust said: “Leicester Museum and Art Gallery houses a fantastic collection of Fine Art, Egyptology, Natural Sciences, and Palaeontology.
“The collection is beautifully presented in modern galleries inside a historic building of significant local importance. The formal learning programme is broad and deep and is complimented by a wide range of gallery-based interactive displays and Augmented Reality applications.
“It is one of several jewels in the crown of the Leicester Museum and Galleries’ portfolio and offers visitors many informal learning opportunities and a fun day out.”
Leicester’s King Richard III Visitor Centre, which is also run by Leicester City Council, holds the Sandford Award too.
The Sandford Award is managed by the Heritage Education Trust in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University and supported by Historic Royal Palaces. Awards will be presented at a ceremony at Kensington Palace on 10 December.
More information about curriculum enriching activities that help students learn with Leicester Museums is available at leicestermuseums.org/learning-engagement/learn-with-leicester-museums/