Cooper Gallery is awarded prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Learning

Cooper Gallery is delighted to announce that it has received the Sandford Award for Heritage Learning. The award recognises Cooper Gallery’s excellent learning opportunities and outstanding visitor engagement. We’re proud to share that Cooper Gallery is now the fourth Barnsley Museums site to currently hold the Sandford Award, along with Cannon Hall Museum, Experience Barnsley and Worsbrough Mill. 

The Sandford Award is the national quality mark for heritage learning. It celebrates arts and culture organisations that offer an exceptional learning programme. 

During an in-person assessment in the summer, judges observed a Year 5 class taking part in a ‘Look, Make, Print’ workshop. This gives pupils the chance to experience an art gallery, see what inspires them, create their own print designs and print using ink and rollers. 

The judges were impressed with the fun, engaging delivery, and the way the workshop inspired pride in the town and confidence in the child. They also praised the Cooper Gallery’s wider informal programme for learning at all ages.  

The judges commented: “The Cooper Gallery offers an exceptional education programme that makes excellent use of its varied collections. The collections provide an outstanding resource to explore not only art, but social and local history as well as different artists and genres. The programme is delivered by a dedicated and committed staff and has been developed in close consultation with its users. Pupils are engaged and inspired by the artworks, enabling them to produce designs they are truly proud of. Care is taken to listen to teachers to ensure pupils achieve their learning goals and have a never to be forgotten visit that complements and enhances classroom learning.” 

Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It’s a great achievement that our school and learning sessions have received national recognition by such a prestigious award. The Cooper Gallery is a fascinating place to visit, with high-quality learning opportunities that will stay with children for a lifetime.”  

For more information about Barnsley Museums Learning, please visit www.barnsley-museums.com/schools.