Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust picks up two prestigious awards

The awards were judged by a panel of education experts who recognized the museums’ remarkable collections, buildings and most importantly varied programme of learning activities delivered by highly professional presenters and workshops leaders. Last year the Museum won Sandford Awards for Heritage Education for Blists Hill Victorian Town and Coalport China Museum.

Established as an educational charity in 1967 the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust operates ten award winning museums within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site. These museums annually welcome over 70,000 students, keen to discover more about the remarkable Industrial Heritage of the area and to take part in many different activities on offer covering aspects of the National Curriculum such as Art and Design, Science, Maths, Design and Technology, Geography, Literacy and of course History.

Maureen McGregor, Lifelong Learning Manager explains: “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.”

"The judges were impressed with the presenters at Enginuity, who help pupils understand many of the basic principles of science, design and technology with practical exercises that would not be possible in a traditional classroom environment.

"The judges’ citation mentions “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.'

"A combination of magnificent buildings, collections and the professionalism of the workshop leaders won the attention of the judges at Jackfield Tile Museum. Here they mentioned “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… This is an almost magical place with welcome surprises around every corner.”

Doug Boynton, former Principal of Telford College of Art and Technology and Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trustee commented: “The Board of Trustees is pleased to see that once again the Learning Department has been independently reviewed and the judges have come back with an outstanding endorsement of their work.”