This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

THIS IS WHAT WE DO

Barnsley — Museums Learning

This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

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This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

Making a case for Museum Education in Barnsley

Museum education contributes to the economic growth of Barnsley and its people

Barnsley’s Museum Education service is proud to put children, young people and families at the heart of its work and to provide an incubator for local talent and achievement. We support the personal growth of our communities, and the economic growth of the town, with active participation from local people driving us forward to embrace change.

● We act as an incubator for talent – we nurture the core skills of local people and show them new possibilities for their future careers;

● We develop the skills of young people in areas such as communications, creativity, event management, consultation, interviewing, photography and film as well as working together as a team;

● We offer volunteering opportunities to local people, supporting them to build new skills for employment;

● We give local people access to experts to inspire them and to understand routes to employment and growth;

AWARD NOMINATIONS

Animated film “Women of the Working Class”, made by young people to mark the 30th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike, is nominated for awards across the world, spreading the word about Barnsley and its people – at Bradford Animation Festival, at Kids for Kids UK, and at the 2014 International Family Film

Festival in California.

● We are creating a landmark place within our local community to support Barnsley in its aim to be an attractive place to live, work and invest;

● We create a positive reputation for Barnsley across the UK with high profile programmes and achievements such as being short-listed for the national Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award for 2014;

● We are developing a new delivery model for our service, driven by our enthusiasm to embrace change, to learn both from our experience and best practice elsewhere. We will create an effective and efficient service that delivers on Barnsley’s Corporate Plan objectives with children and young people at the heart of our delivery.

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This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

5000+ SCHOOL

CHILDREN VISIT

OUR MUSEUMS

EACH YEAR OVER 60% OF THEM ARE FROM BARNSLEY

This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

5000+ SCHOOL

CHILDREN VISIT

OUR MUSEUMS

EACH YEAR OVER 60% OF THEM ARE FROM BARNSLEY

This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

● We work with teachers to deliver programmes that link directly to subjects across the National Curriculum – to science and geography as well as history and art, and to key priority areas such as literacy and numeracy;

● By linking to the National Curriculum we can make sure our programmes increase pupil attainment across all areas;

● We deliver the accredited national programme of Arts Awards to pupils which allows them to document their learning and the impacts it has on each individual;

● We help pupils and families understand their local history, the story of their ancestors, developing a sense of place and pride in Barnsley;

● We open the eyes of pupils and families to what it’s possible to achieve here – for many it’s their first visit to a museum and that’s a new experience in itself;

● We provide a rich and creative learning environment outside of a classroom using inspirational real objects, voices and experiences to bring colour to children’s learning;

● We support pupils with different learning styles who often flourish outside the classroom;

● We encourage children and young people to make connections with other people – both now and from the past, to help them see their lives reflected in those of others, to know they are not alone, and to support their emotional well-being and sense of community.

Museum education improves the potential and achievement of our communities

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This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

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“IT COULD ONLY BE BETTER IF WE SPEND LONGER IN THE MUSEUM BECAUSE IT IS REALLY REALLY FUN.”

School Pupil

This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

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This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

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Museum education encourages communities to participate and have their voices heard

● We offer children and young people the opportunity to actively participate in our plans and programmes – five schools and 184 pupils are working with artists in 2014 to produce poppy sculptures to commemorate World War One;

● We have a Youth Panel of local teenagers who are involved in developing exhibitions and displays, events and programmes like the hugely popular “Miners' Strike” exhibition;

● Young people create the content that goes on show in many exhibitions – like the film our Youth Panel made with a professional film-maker – “Women of the Working Class” – and the book “Roman Treasures” produced by a group to help other children to enjoy a new exhibition;

● Families make a positive contribution through their feedback and ideas to help us improve our family programmes and services;

● Young people gain valuable experience from their active participation for their future academic and career choices.

This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

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52.4%

Of people in Yorkshire and Humberside visited a museum or art gallery in 2013/14 compared with 38.8% in 2005/6 — it’s an increasingly popular pastime2

School children participate in schools programmes across the Museum service each year

Teenagers enjoyed a night at the Museum in July 2014 with live music, retro-gaming and a photo booth in a safe, fun environment, organised by the Museum’s Youth Panel

Programmes cover Families, under-5s, Primary and Secondary Schools – as well as the Youth Board

The service brings in income from a wide area, attracting almost 40% of its schools from outside of the town

Barnsley runs education programmes for schools and families across its 5 venues –

A service for local people in Barnsley

5000

40%

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“Artistic education is important for developing creativity, an essential supporting pillar of the UK’s increasingly knowledge-based economy” 5

The Museums Association said in 2013 that “Museums can play an important role in the fight to combat poverty” and provided evidence of Museums as agents of inclusion, of achieving higher educational attainment, and in boosting economic and community regeneration

The Wider Picture

Jobs created by the cultural economy across England∗

694,700

For every £1 invested in arts and culture up to £6 is generated for the local economy 1

Employment in the creative and cultural sector is expected to grow by 33% by 2020, compared to just 6% growth in other sectors1

Participation in structured arts activities improves4

33% 6%

Of pupils in the East of England achieved a higher mark for their assessed piece of work after a museum visit, with lower ability pupils increasing their marks the most3

60%

ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT

EARLY LITERACY

SKILLS

COGNITIVE ABILITIES

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

SOURCES –

1 Arts Council England advocacy toolkit2 Taking Part Survey, DCMS3 Engage, Learn, Achieve’ report by Research Centre for Museums & Galleries, University of Leicester, for East of England Museums

4 Culture & Sport Evidence report 20105 Centre for Economic and Business Research report “The contribution of the arts and culture in the national economy.” 2013

This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

A Closer Look

Julie & David Pratt with sons Archie (6) and Eddie (3) are regular visitors to Barnsley Museums and share their experience here:

“The boys have enjoyed all the workshops they’ve attended and then to leave with their creations is very rewarding for them. Archie would have stayed for hours if he could. The interactive parts in the museum make it fun for them to learn – they never want to leave!

Saturday mornings are a great time as we can make a day trip of just visiting town, a museum workshop, library and lunch, all supporting local tourism. I’ve recommended it to other people – the town centre is lacking in places to go with children and the museum is right there in the middle just waiting to be explored.

Archie found out about the My Museum project and we discussed it and he thought his fossil and old pottery from granddad were perfect. He was excited that his items might go in the museum. Now they are on display he thinks he’s famous!

He told the whole school about it in assembly and lots of his friends come and tell me about their special items – sharks’ teeth, fossils, war medals. It’s a great way to get the kids excited about history and think about what’s special to them.”

“BEING INVOLVED IN THE MUSEUM GIVES MY CHILDREN A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGING, THEY CAN SEE THE HISTORY OF THEIR TOWN IN FRONT OF THEM.”

Diane Sykes is a teacher at Birdwell Primary School who works closely with the Museum to provide learning for her pupils:

“I got involved with the Museum after going on an Arts Award Advisor training session. I’ve since brought a class to the Museum and worked with artists on illustration and animation workshops. At both of these sessions the children produced work of a very high standard.

We’re now repeating this with another class and working with a photographer. We’re also working with an artist to produce wire poppies to commemorate World War One – and that work will lead to another class achieving Arts Award.

Barnsley Museum Education Service has made a great impact on Birdwell Primary School. We work closely with very enthusiastic Museum staff. The facilities have been fantastic, we have been made to feel very welcome each time, and we’ve been introduced to professionals of a very high calibre.

The Museum Education Service is an excellent facility for Barnsley – I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”

“BARNSLEY MUSEUM EDUCATION SERVICE HAS MADE A GREAT IMPACT ON BIRDWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL.”

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This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

Molly is a member of the Museum Youth Panel and talks about her experiences:

“I joined the Youth Panel in 2013 and I’ve enjoyed working with so many different professionals and practitioners – like printmaking with Mia, working on the song & music for the film with Dave, and on animation with David Bunting. I’ve interviewed local women for the Women Against Pit Closures exhibition, coming up with questions, editing and recording sound too. I spoke on the opening night of the exhibition alongside the Mayor and our MP.”

“I worked on the World War One trail, picking out objects and coming up with the concept for it. We’ve been on trips to other museums too, as well as theatre trips to see ‘Regeneration’ and ‘Brassed Off’ – and we went backstage to talk to the actors.”

“It’s helped me decide what I am doing at college, to continue more arts-based qualifications. I am more confident and sociable after joining the youth panel, I tend to talk to people rather than hide in a corner. I’m putting all the work I’ve done into my college portfolio. I’ve learnt about the process of working through a project from start to finish which helps with college now.”

“I’d recommend getting involved with the Museum to other young people. It’s been interesting learning about Barnsley’s mining history, they don’t teach it at school.”

“I NEVER EXPECTED BARNSLEY MUSEUM TO BE THIS GOOD AND DIDN’T THINK I WOULD GET INVOLVED IN ANYTHING. THERE’S SO MUCH YOU WOULDN’T EXPECT BARNSLEY TO HAVE.”

Timm Cleasby is a photographer and works with the Learning team to lead workshops in the Museum for young people and schools.

“The kids have such a great experience in the Museum. They seem inspired and positive about what they’ve done and want to do more. Being a parent myself I know how hard it is to get kids enthused about projects, but the Museum seem to do it very well.”

“Working with the Museum has been a pleasure and to know that some of the work I have done there has inspired kids to push themselves to become more that they thought they could be is just amazing. Coming from a small mining village I know how hard it can be to believe you can go on to do amazing things and the Museum team are inspiring just that.”

“I hope the service can continue to grow and inspire our future generations to better themselves, it can only lead to a brighter and more prosperous future.”

“COMING FROM A SMALL MINING VILLAGE I KNOW HOW HARD IT CAN BE TO BELIEVE YOU CAN GO ON TO DO AMAZING THINGS AND THE MUSEUM TEAM ARE INSPIRING JUST THAT.”

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This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

Going Forward

● FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND CAPABILITIES OF OUR USERS

● BE CUSTOMER-DRIVEN● BECOME A SELF-SUSTAINING

BUSINESS CENTRE● DELIVER BEST PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN

AND YOUNG PEOPLE● DEVELOP THE CORE SKILLS OF LOCAL

PEOPLE TO DRIVE THE ECONOMY● IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

OF OUR CUSTOMERS● SUPPORT TEACHERS TO IMPROVE

PUPIL ATTAINMENT● BUILD ON OUR REPUTATION AND DELIVER

A LANDMARK SERVICE FOR BARNSLEY.

The Museum Education Service in Barnsley is embracing change, involving local people in its future, and reviewing the way it operates.

We aim to –

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Thanks & acknowledgements

With thanks to all of those who have contributed to this publication, especially the participants from our education programmes.

“IT WAS BRILLIANT BECAUSE I HAVE LEARNT NEW THINGS.”School Pupil

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This Is What We DoBarnsley Museum Learning

Created by May Redfern Written by Emma Parsons

Design by The Cafeteria www.thecafeteria.co.uk

The Picture Foundry www.thepicturefoundry.com