This report, with very pleasing news, appeared today, 11 October 2024, on BrentfordTW8.com, the local community website. It is posted here with congratulations to the learning team!
Gunnersbury Park has joined a range of heritage venues including Windsor Castle and Bletchley Park that have won a Sandford Award. The Award, established in 1978, claims to be the gold standard for heritage learning, recognising the contribution of heritage organisations to formal and informal education. A 2024 award went to the Gunnersbury Park Learning Team who run workshops for local schools. They judges said they, “are multi-sensory and memorable for students. With a team who pay close attention to detail from booking onwards, teachers can be confident of a high-quality experience linked to the national curriculum at this museum.” The award presentation ceremony took place at Kensington Palace on Tuesday.
The programme provides the only independent quality assurance for heritage sites that run formal education programs. It is run by Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), in partnership with the Heritage Education Trust and supported by Historic Royal Palaces.
Professor Andrew Jackson, speaking on behalf of BGU said, “Bishop Grosseteste University is delighted to be joining the celebrations of the Sandford Award 2024. The number and diversity of winners form a fabulous testimony to the role of our sites and organisations and reflects the dedication of their staff to heritage education and learning. BGU is proud to be supporting and championing their endeavours.”
Dr Tracy Borman, OBE, Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust and Chancellor of BGU said, “I am thrilled to see such a rich and diverse range of sites celebrated in this year’s Sandford Awards. From iconic historic buildings such as Windsor Castle, Whitby Abbey, and the Roman Baths to art galleries, archives, ships, and even a farm, they are all united by the excellence of their education provision. My heartfelt congratulations go to all the worthy winners of 2024.”
The award is not only a validation of formal learning programmes that align with national curricula but also acknowledges the value of informal learning opportunities such as family programmes and self-guided tours.