A North East museum has secured a national award which recognises the high quality of its educational programme for schools.

The independently judged Sandford Award assesses education programmes at heritage sites, museums, archives and collections across the United Kingdom.

Preston Park Museum and Grounds, in Eaglescliffe, Stockton, previously won the Heritage Education Trust’s award in 2018, and judges, who reassessed the museum in July, were very impressed with the learning programme at the council-owned venue, saying that it “provides a high quality, local history focused offer, which has been designed specifically to meet the curriculum needs of its audience.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

"The team at Preston Park are dedicated to ensuring that all students have a positive learning experience with excellent learning outcomes.”

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The judges also praised the style and breadth of the museum’s learning programme, which includes a wide range of workshops from the history of the Anglo-Saxons to life in Victorian schools.

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: “We’re very proud of the learning programme at Preston Park Museum and Grounds and delighted it has once again received national recognition.

“Each year the dedicated team engages with around 8,000 children through its school learning programme and they are passionate about providing pupils with an exciting and memorable experience.

“We’re delighted their hard work has been recognised and look forward to them continuing to inspire the next generation through the Borough’s maritime, industrial and social history.”

The Sandford Award scheme is the only nationally recognised quality mark for heritage learning and provides independent assurance for heritage sites.

Other award winners include The Royal Armouries Museum and St Paul’s Cathedral.