Wilberforce House Museum has been presented with the prestigious Sandford Award.
Hull’s oldest museum received the award for its teaching of sensitive histories, delivered by Heritage Learning.
The programme sees pupils aged five to 14 taking part in thought-provoking sessions at the museum, covering subjects from the life and work of William Wilberforce, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the fight for abolition and West African culture.
Heritage Learning’s learning manager Sarah Howard, schools programme manager Zoe Martin and digital learning officer Rebecca Nelson were presented with the award at a ceremony at the Tower of London. The museum was chosen for the award in July.
Julie Taylor, lead judge at Sandford Award, said: “Wilberforce House is an excellent example of a museum that gives visitors an insight into life in the past, the contribution of an individual who is rightly seen as a local hero, and an opportunity to consider freedom and fair play throughout the ages.
“The museum provides engaging, inspiring and thought-provoking educational programmes that ensure that all visitors leave after a visit, knowing, feeling and understanding far more than when they arrived.”
The Sandford Award is an independently judged, quality assured assessment of education programmes at museums across Great Britain.
It focuses on formal, curriculum-linked education opportunities offered to schools and are managed by the Heritage Education Trust in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln.
Councillor Marjorie Brabazon, chair of Hull Culture and Leisure, said: “Congratulations to Wilberforce House Museum and Heritage Learning for receiving the Sandford Award. This is well-deserved recognition for the fantastic and diverse educational offering at the museum.
“The story of William Wilberforce is one that should be taught to every child in Hull and beyond and nowhere tells it better than Wilberforce House Museum.”
The birthplace of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce, the Wilberforce House Museum is Hull’s oldest Museum. With collections of international significance, it tells the story of Transatlantic Slavery through displays reflecting African culture, capture and enslavement, plantation life and the fight for abolition. The museum also contains contemporary displays that bring the struggle against slavery and the fight for human rights up to the present day.
Jane Avison, head of learning at Heritage Learning, said: “It is fantastic that our work at the Wilberforce House Museum is recognised nationally and, perhaps more importantly, it is great that the pupils of Hull and across the region have access to educational programmes of the highest quality.
“We want schools in the area to know that we are here to offer nationally recognised, high-quality experiences for their pupils now and in the future.”
