Mar 4 2010 by Gareth Evans, Western Mail
National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
Four of Wales’ national museums have been recognised for their high quality education provision.
Representatives from some of the nation’s premier tourist attractions were invited to a prestigious ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Swansea Bay's National Waterfront Museum and National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre. The National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon, National Slate Museum, Llanberis, all received the Sandford Award for Heritage Education.
The Earl of Wessex presented the awards which are administered by the Heritage Education Trust, which has a panel of experienced museum and heritage educators who visit and assess each site.
Judges range from professional inspectors, former head teachers to education consultants. The Sandford Award Scheme incorporates 200 historical sites within Britain and Ireland. Stately homes, museums, galleries, cathedrals, places of worship, gardens and landscapes are among those nominated.
The awards are made annually and recognise quality and excellence in the educational services provided by each provider.
This year’s announcement means each of National Museum Wales’ seven sites have now been recognised by the Heritage Education Trust.
National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
When it comes to learning and education, the National Waterfront Museum certainly knows how.
Head Steph Mastoris said: “This is a marvellous achievement by the learning team and further recognition of the super work that we have been developing since we opened.”
Rosalyn Gee, the museum’s learning manager, said: “During this year alone we have welcomed more than 13,300 school children and teachers to the museum.
“We understand the important and unique role museums can play in supporting learning and are delighted that we’re able to deliver this at such a high level.
“The award pays testament to the team’s hard work. We’re now looking forward to building further links with schools in South Wales even further afield.”
Education officer Mandy Westcott was awarded particular praise from her peers.
National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre
The free educational programme at the National Wool Museum includes studies of the woollen industry, the industrial revolution, clothes, materials and their properties.
The museum was praised by judges for its variety of provision, made possible by the education officer and consultants.
Joanna Thomas, learning officer at the National Wool Museum, said: “We are very committed to finding ways of knitting together an understanding of local and national heritage.
“As well as our schools programme, we can specially tailor sessions according to the particular needs of teachers and pupils.
“We are also doing more and more work with adult learners, who are coming to the museum to learn about the history and culture of the woollen industry, while at the same time improving their Welsh language skills.”
