Learning and Access Collaborators

Schools and colleges

The Beaney learning team have been working in partnership with primary and secondary schools in the Canterbury district, to explore ways in which the Beaney and other heritage venues across the city can be used as inspirational venues for creativity and cross-curricular learning, including developing and trialling ideas for school visits and resources, programming Continuing Professional Development events for teachers, and hosting subject cluster meetings. 15 head teachers from the Canterbury District Head Teachers Cluster Group visited the Beaney for a breakfast meeting in June 2012 to discuss opportunities for future collaboration, including the potential for the Beaney to host future primary cluster group subject meetings in History and Art. Watch this space! The Beaney learning team also have strong partnerships with secondary schools and colleges including Canterbury College.

Objectives

Increase the number of young people visiting the Beaney, their skills, knowledge and creativity, through innovative approaches to interpretation and learning.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust

Ongoing partnership work to develop archaeology-related learning activities and programmes at the Beaney and for schools, community groups and other target audiences across the Canterbury district. Recent partnership work has included the Buried beneath the Beaney exhibition, the development of archaeology displays at the Beaney including The Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Kent case, Explorer Point activities, the Roman Marketplace mini dig and role play resource for primary schools, and sell-out popular lectures by CAT Director Paul Bennett – inspired by museum collections and displays.

Objectives

Increase the number of young people visiting the Beaney, their skills, knowledge and creativity, through innovative approaches to interpretation and learning. Actively engage and widen participation through an exciting and innovative programme of exhibitions, community engagement and life-long learning events. Help residents to understand and value their local heritage.

Canterbury Cathedral

Long established partnership work, including with Canterbury Cathedral Archives, and Canterbury Cathedral Schools Department, to develop joint learning activities for primary and secondary schools in the Canterbury District, and to work in partnership on city-wide events and activities such as the Viking Siege Commemoration events, Baedeker Blitz 70th Anniversary, and forthcoming major anniversaries such as the Magna Carta 800 in 2015. The museums service takes part each year in Canterbury Cathedral Schools Days and Canterbury Cathedral Open Evening with hands-on activities for school children and the general public.

Objectives

Canterbury Christ Church University, Department of Initial Teacher Training

Canterbury Museums provide up to 10 work placements a year for trainee teachers which highlight the importance of inspirational learning experiences outside the classroom, and the value of enquiry-based learning to children at primary and secondary level. The placements provide trainee teachers with the skills and confidence to create and deliver object-based learning sessions either in museum/gallery settings or in the classroom. Students have found the experience both valuable and rewarding, and it has been a major influence on their future teaching practice. In return the university is very supportive of Canterbury Museum.

Objectives

Enhance skills, knowledge and experience through learning and volunteering opportunities. Improving employability by developing creativity, critical skills and confidence. Children and young people will be encouraged to actively participate and learn, whilst we will advocate the role of culture in learning in schools.

Canterbury Christ Church University, Tourism Management

In Spring 2012 as part of the Missing Pieces project over 20 Year 2 Tourism Management students worked alongside the museums learning and marketing teams, to develop strategies to promote the Beaney, Canterbury Heritage Museum and Canterbury Roman Museum to an under-represented student audience. Teams visited and researched their chosen museums, and developed strategies to promote venues to this target audience, including at a major one day event on campus. This successful collaboration is now embedded for future years. The project work also generated excellent ideas for future collaborations with student audiences. Several participants enjoyed the experience so much they have become museum volunteers and will be helping to run a student evening at the new Beaney.

Objectives

Enhance skills, knowledge and experience through learning and volunteering opportunities. Actively engage and widen participation through an exciting and innovative programme of exhibitions, community engagement and life-long learning events. Be inclusive in our activities and work with diverse audiences. Help residents to understand and value their local heritage.

Royal National Institute for the Blind

The Beaney learning team are working in partnership with the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) to develop interpretation, resources and opportunities for engagement in the Beaney by local blind and partially sighted people. Training has been given to museum and library staff on engaging with this audience, and activities have been developed for blind and partially sighted people. The Beaney is one of 4 heritage partners in the RNIB’s exciting CultureLink South East project which aims to develop resources, volunteer and work opportunities for blind and partially sighted people at heritage venues.

Objectives

Be inclusive in our activities and work with diverse audiences. Enhance skills, knowledge and experience through learning and volunteering opportunities.Help residents to understand and value their local heritage. Work with communities to foster community involvement, to embed shared decision making and to ensure we are relevant to people.

University of Kent MSc in Science, Communication and Society

Canterbury Museums are a long term partner in this popular postgraduate course, and are actively involved in aspects of teaching and project work. Students visit the museum and are given a seminar by a member of the museum learning team on Science communication in museums, including real life examples from Canterbury. Students then work in partnership with the museum to develop activities for National Science Week, targeted at primary or secondary school children, families, or an adult audience. They then present their activity to the public as part of the museum’s annual National Science Week Roadshow, and carry out detailed evaluation.

Objectives

Local Community Organisations

On-going partnerships have been developed with local community organisations including The Canterbury Society, St Mildred’s Area Community Society (SMACS), Canterbury Decorative and Fine Art Society (CDFAS), MENCAP, The Polish Association in Kent, The East Kent Egyptology Society (ANKH), The Kent Bat Group, Cranmer House sheltered housing scheme and several local re-enactment groups. These organisations are active partners with the museum and library in the planning and delivery of community engagement work. Canterbury Museums was a key partner on The Canterbury Siege Committee, winners of the Community Award at the 2012 Canterbury Culture Awards, for its part in organising the highly successful 2011 Canterbury Vikingfest.

Objectives

Work with communities to foster community involvement, to embed shared decision making and to ensure we are relevant to people. Actively engage and widen participation through an exciting and innovative programme of exhibitions, community engagement and life-long learning events. Be inclusive in our activities and work with diverse audiences. Help residents to understand and value their local heritage.