Grant to Improve Heritage Education in East Midlands

News release

3rd August 2012

A new scheme which aims to improve heritage education across the East Midlands has been given the green light by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and could be in line for funding worth nearly £500,000.

This HLF first-round pass*, including £49,700 of development funding, means that Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln can further develop the Sandford Learning Cascade Project, which will bring together museums and heritage sites in the region and share good ideas about heritage education.

The project is based on the existing annual Sandford Award which BG manages and which recognises excellence in heritage education.

Last year’s winners included the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the Tower of London and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon.

“We have been awarded a development grant of £49,700, which is great news as it will enable us to take forward a 15-month pilot project,” said Tracy Borman, Sandford Co-ordinator at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln.

“If we’re successful in gaining stage two funding we will receive £488,000 to roll out the project across the whole of the East Midlands.”

Emma Sayer, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “We at the Heritage Lottery Fund are delighted to support Bishop Grosseteste University College and bring their vision a step closer to reality.

“By working with sites across the East Midlands to explore new ways of encouraging young people to get involved and explore their heritage, this project has the potential to transform opportunities for education and learning.

“Young people are the future advocates for our heritage, and it is important that we support innovative and engaging ways of developing their insight, skills and experience.”

The aim of the Sandford Learning Cascade Project is to develop the potential of the Sandford Awards as a means of spreading best practice in heritage education across the region.

Under the scheme a number of key Sandford Award winning sites (known as beacon sites) will host short-term placements from nearby museums and heritage sites (known as satellite sites) which are aiming to develop new education programmes or enhance existing ones.

Staff from these satellite sites will record the lessons learned during their placements and put their new knowledge and skills into practice after the placements have ended.

The pilot is expected to start in October 2012 and will focus on two beacon sites and four satellite sites in the East Midlands.

“We’re extremely lucky to have such a wealth of fascinating heritage sites and excellent museums here in the East Midlands,” Tracy added. “They are a vital resource for teaching young people about our past, and this new project is all about improving the way we use heritage sites and museums to engage learners of all ages.”

Notes to editors

• *A first-round pass means the project meets the criteria for HLF funding and is believed to have the potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for National Lottery money. The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals. Having been awarded a first-round pass, the project now has up to two years to submit fully developed proposals to compete for a firm award.

• Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, it invests in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,000 projects, allocating £4.9 billion across the UK, including over £268 million to the East Midlands alone. For more information visit www.hlf.org.uk

• The Sandford Awards were established in 1978 by Lord Sandford to encourage those responsible for running historic houses and guide their educational endeavours by monitoring standards.

• They were originally administered by the Council for Environmental Education. To develop the awards more fully, the Heritage Education Trust was established in 1983 and now runs the scheme in collaboration with Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln.

• More than 250 sites have received an award since the scheme began, including Hampton Court Palace, Brunel’s ss Great Britain in Bristol, Edinburgh Castle, and Big Pit - the National Mining Museum of Wales.

• Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln was established in 1862 and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2012.

• It is an independent higher education institution based in Lincoln and awarding its own degrees at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @cerridelaney

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