Ulster Museum's Education Programme wins UK award
Published: 10 August 2010
The Ulster Museum has achieved a prestigious Sandford Award for Museum and Heritage education. The UK-wide accreditation scheme is awarded to museums who achieve excellence in the provision of heritage education programmes.
The judges praised museum staff for bringing heritage to life and helping children understand the power of art to express ideas, emotions and concepts.
Since reopening in October, almost 22,000 school children have participated in organised learning programmes, while many thousands of others have benefited from self-guided tours with teachers and families.
Pictured above are Pupils from St Patrick’s Primary School and Stranmillis Primary School learning about the Irish Deer at the Ulster Museum, click image to enlarge.
Paddy Gilmore, Director of Learning & Partnership for National Museums Northern Ireland, said he was delighted the museum was recognised; “To be given the Sandford ‘seal of approval’ reflects the education team’s commitment to providing visitors with high quality, relevant and informative education programmes. The museum’s education offering is designed to fascinate, enthuse and connect all ages with the Ulster Museum’s collections and exhibitions.”
Lead Judge of the Sandford Awards scheme, Gareth Fitzpatrick, praised the work of the museum; “The Ulster Museum offers a programme for schools which is accessible, welcoming and places the collection at the heart of all school activities. Central to their schools’ programmes is a commitment to helping children explore and making them feel confident about their ideas about our common heritage and the past. The programmes are developed to encourage learning, how to look and enjoy what they see”, he said.
The Ulster Museum is currently taking bookings for the 2010/2011 academic year. Staff can be contacted on 028 9044 0100 for further information on the various programmes available.
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