Fishbourne Roman Palace secures prestigious educational award in recognition of its first-class learning service
Fishbourne Roman Palace, near Chichester, has received an award for the quality of its learning service, which was deemed by assessors to be ‘first-class’. The dedicated Learning Team at Fishbourne Roman Palace oversees educational sessions for thousands of visiting schoolchildren every year, as well as activities for families and home educator groups, which give participants the opportunity to explore the realities of daily life in Roman Britain.
The prestigious Sandford Award, managed by the Heritage Education Trust in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln and supported by Historic Royal Palaces, is awarded for heritage learning at historic sites.
The Assessor’s Report praised the quality of learning on offer at Fishbourne Roman Palace and concluded:
“Fishbourne Palace has an exceptional collection of early Roman mosaics interpreted by a first-class learning service, two good reasons for a visit. The Palace and garden is the largest Roman Palace North of the Alps; discovered in the 1960’s information is still being found by archaeological digs. The National curriculum is delivered by the wealth of Roman history in the museum and many resources in the workshops; available for all Key stages, schools return year after year. There are opportunities to handle real Roman material, but the extraordinary mosaics containing dolphins, flowers and patterns are an unmissable sight.”
The Sandford Award will be presented at a special presentation ceremony for award-winners, hosted by Historic Royal Palaces at Kensington Palace on Tuesday 10th December.
John Baldock, General Manager at Sussex Past which manages Fishbourne Roman Palace, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Fishbourne Roman Palace has received a Sandford Award for the quality of its learning service, which is testimony to the excellent work of our Learning Team. Every year they welcome thousands of visiting schoolchildren who come to find out about many different aspects of life in Roman Britain in a way that is inspiring, educational and fun. We look forward to welcoming many more parties of schoolchildren to Fishbourne Roman Palace to take part in the range of top-class educational workshops on offer.”
Sussex Past recently launched a fundraising appeal to carry out essential maintenance work to the Education facilities at Fishbourne Roman Palace. The Friends of Fishbourne Roman Palace generously pledged £2,500 towards the work, with the aim of encouraging the public to match that amount in donations.
David Bone, Chair of the Friends of Fishbourne Roman Palace said:
“I am pleased that to say that the Friends of Fishbourne Roman Palace have pledged £2,500 towards this fundraising campaign. With additional public donations, the monies raised will help to improve and enhance our Education facilities. Fishbourne Roman Palace is an internationally important Roman site that welcomes thousands of visitors and school children every year. We gain a better understanding of the story of Sussex from the site and I believe it’s really important that this carries on for future generations. Raising money for Fishbourne Roman Palace’s development and maintenance is a big responsibility for the Society and the Friends of Fishbourne Roman Palace and every donation will make a real difference.”
Donations can be made through the charity’s Crowdfunder page.
Find out more about booking a school visit with our award-winning Education Team.
