Press Releases

Receiving the award for the very first time for its high quality education provision for local and visiting schools, museum employees - including the Education team, demonstrating craftsmen and guides -  received a glowing report from judges who observed a visit by schoolchildren earlier this year, carrying out a rigorous assessment based on education policies, procedures, resources and workshops.

“Although it was a nerve-racking process, we are absolutely thrilled with the outcome of the judges’ decision,’ said Elen Roberts, Education Officer at the Museum. “They were very impressed by what we have achieved in the past few years and have granted us the award in recognition of the excellence of the education service we provide. We are constantly striving to attract more local schools to the Museum and hopefully our being given this award will help spread the word about just what we have to offer.”  

 Valid for five years, the Sandford Award is regarded as an independently judged ‘Quality Assured Assessment’ of heritage education within an historic and cultural environment. The Awards are made annually and are non-competitive, recognizing quality and excellence in the educational services and facilities at a site including the awareness of and adherence to the national curricula; a contribution to raising awareness of local and national heritage; evidence of good liaison with educational establishments; how well the educational potential of the site is being developed; the provision of relevant educational resources; and the provision of additional facilities that enhance the quality of the students' visit.

Lead Judge Marilyn Sumner commented: 

“Teachers on general visits return year after year to the National Slate Museum with their pupils to stimulate learning. The level of service and programmes on offer to both local schools and those from further afield has increased. Local artists, musicians and writers work with the Education team to devise projects designed to illustrate how a museum visit can be both fun and educationally worthwhile.”

 Ceri Black, Head of Learning at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales said:

"Congratulations to the National Slate Museum Llanberis on winning this award. The Sandford Award demonstrates the high quality of our museums –  all our site have achieved the award now and the  museum's education programme for schools, continues to be very busy and well received by schools from all over Wales and the UK.”

 The Museum will be presented with the award later in the year at a national presentation ceremony - a major event in the Heritage Education calendar.

To find out more information about any of the Museum’s educational programmes and workshops, or informal children’s activities over the holiday periods, contact Elen Roberts on 01286 873706 or email elen.roberts@museumwales.ac.uk

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales operates seven museums across Wales National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.  

Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government. 

Press Information: For more information please contact Julie Williams on 01286 873707e-mail: julie.williams@amgueddfacymru.ac.uk or Elen Roberts on 01286 873706  elen.roberts@museumwales.ac.uk