Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens is delighted to announce that it has received the Sandford Award for Heritage Learning. The award recognises Cannon Hall’s excellent learning opportunities and outstanding visitor engagement.

The Sandford Award is the national quality mark for heritage learning and validation for arts and culture organisations that offer an exceptional learning programme.

The judges were particularly impressed with the team’s ability to deliver a variety of high-quality workshops, which ensured that pupils engaged well with the many different activities on offer.

Exploring the surrounding natural environment and focusing on the uniqueness of the Georgian country house, pupils visiting learned about the hall’s history and natural habitats.

Alongside the formal learning programme, the museum also provides informal learning for families during the school holidays, as well as for Barnsley’s diverse cultural communities and visitors with a range of learning and health needs.

The judges commented: “Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens offers an excellent formal learning programme, with a variety of high-quality informal learning opportunities both inside the house and outside in the surrounding park and gardens. A highly skilled team deliver hands-on and entertaining workshops that help bring the hall to life whilst enhancing the primary school curriculum in a very thought-provoking and enjoyable way. Assorted self-led trails in the park and gardens, fun, family-friendly areas and rooms in the house, online versions of the school workshops, and well-resourced loan boxes complete a strong learning programme. Once again, Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens is a well-deserved holder of the Sandford Award”.

Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It’s a great achievement that our school and learning sessions have received national recognition by such a prestigious award. Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens is a fascinating place to visit and is a vital part of our borough’s history. Not only does it offer an amazing day out, but also high-quality learning opportunities that will stay with children for a lifetime.” 

For more information about Barnsley Museums Learning, please visit www.barnsley-museums.com/schools.