The Tank Museum has won a prestigious national award for its work with schools.

The highly prized Sandford Award for Heritage Education was instituted to promote a higher standard of education provision in museums. Widely regarded as a quality stamp on the educational activities undertaken, the awards are judged by heritage education professionals who shadow school visits as they take place.

The Tank Museums Education Officer, Chris Copson said; “The Tank Museum has worked hard over the years to improve what we can offer local schools. Winning this award is a great boost for us, showing just how far we have come.”

Over 5,000 school children visit the Tank Museum last year, attending a number of workshops covering History, English, Science and non-curricular subjects.

“The judge’s report praised not only our facilities and the quality of the exhibitions themselves, but the creative way in which we operate our workshops,” explained Chris. “They were particularly impressed with our teaching rooms, our Trench Experience and Home Front House – but they were most impressed by the way we have consulted widely with schools to develop sessions which meet their educational needs.”

Sandford Award Lead Judge Julian Humphrys said; “The Tank Museum’s superb collections are supported by some well thought out and imaginative educational programmes which can be adjusted to the requirements of individual groups.”

In one workshop highlighted by the report, visiting children are fed at lunch with a menu taken from a World War Two ration book; including Spam fritters and Jam Roly-Poly.

“Everyone at the Museum seems to take a pride in the educational service provided – even the catering staff play their part by supplying ‘wartime lunches’ for visiting groups.” Julian added.

The Tank Museum Education team are taking bookings now for the next school year. For more information, click here or call Chris on 01929 405096 x 216.

To download a copy of the Sandford Award report, click here.