Ironbridge museums hailed for their teaching value
Two museums in Ironbridge have scooped awards after judges praised their "exciting and fascinating invitation to learn".
Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has once again been awarded two Sandford Awards for Heritage Education for Enginuity Design and Technology Centre and Jackfield Tile Museum.
The awards were judged by a panel of education experts who recognised the museums' collections, buildings and varied programme of learning activities delivered by professional presenters and workshops leaders.
Last year the museum trust won the same award for Heritage Education for Blists Hill Victorian Town and Coalport China Museum.
The judges were impressed with the presenters at Enginuity, who help pupils understand many of the basic principles of science, design and technology.
The panel's citation said: "Excitement, fascination and an invitation to learn and understand are provided by Enginuity in equal large doses. Those who are fortunate to be taking part in one of the many practical workshop sessions find themselves pleasurably immersed in practical tasks that challenge knowledge and understanding. It is little wonder that many visitors find this their 'best visit ever.'"
And the Jackfield Tile Museum also won praise. Judges said: "The tile decorating workshops enable visitors to use the skills seen in the factory to decorate their own tiles under the expert tuition of the education staff members."
Maureen McGregor, lifelong learning manager, said: "Learning underpins every aspect of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and we are all delighted that the judges have recognised all the hard work of the trustees, staff and volunteers who support the museum's learning activities."
Doug Boynton, former principal of Telford College of Art and Technology and Ironbridge Gorge Museum trustee, said: "We are pleased to see once again judges have come back with an outstanding endorsement of their work."
Established as an educational charity in 1967 the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust operates 10 museums within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.
Featured local business - Telford Energy Savers
