Learning Policy – Chelmsford Museums – updated July 2014
Learning Policy for Chelmsford Museums*
1. Mission statement
We will continue to build an inspirational museum service focused on Chelmsford and
worthy of the city in the 21st century which stimulates and facilitates a wide variety of
visitor and learning experiences and helps to strengthen our quality of life.
The following statement was agreed by the Museum Policy Panel and Cabinet (February
2005):
“Learning from a museum experience is a valued outcome for all parts of the
community. It pervades all areas of museum provision and outreach, and all
audience types and age groups. School teaching linked to National Curriculum
requirements is one important element. It is achieved through a variety of means,
including formal teaching, display interpretation, special events, workshops and
publications. The museum environment has a direct impact on the quality of this
experience.”
Chelmsford Museums aim to:
 Provide a friendly stimulating environment with excellent customer service
 Actively encourage lifelong learning with full and equal access for all
 Offer value for money for all educational activities
 Provide the people of Chelmsford and beyond with quality events, exhibitions and
educational experiences which engage, educate, stimulate and inspire
2. Target audience
Chelmsford Museums’ main target audiences for their learning provision are:
1) School children, especially local primary school pupils
2) Local families
3) Pre-school children accompanied by their carers
4) Scout and guide community groups
5) Community groups such as the U3A
3. Resources and budget
Learning services makes use of these resources:
 Museum handling collections
 Permanent gallery displays and temporary exhibition programme
 Staffing, including qualified specialist educational staff and curators with teaching
responsibilities, as well as advisors, freelance tutors and volunteers
 A small education budget, with access to other budgets as required e.g. marketing
 Links to the acquisitions policy to ensure the educational value of potential new
acquisitions is considered
4. Types of learning provision
Different learning provisions are used to reach Chelmsford Museums target audiences:
 Direct teaching, with most learning experiences aimed at primary school pupils (key
stages 1 and 2). Teachers are encouraged to visit the museum and negotiate learning
outcomes to ensure high quality learning experiences.
 An outreach service, including visiting school premises to deliver learning experiences
if schools are unable to come to us or giving talks to community groups.
 A loans service for schools including history topics, science kits, and natural history
 A reminiscence box loan service for older people
 Museum based family learning including temporary and permanent exhibitions; open
days; special events; school holiday activities; workshops; trails & quests; and tours
around the museum
* Chelmsford Museum and the Essex Regiment Museum at Oaklands Park, and Sandford Mill
Learning Policy – Chelmsford Museums – updated July 2014
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Distance learning, including web site downloads, teacher packs, children’s packs and
self-guided gallery tours for adults and trip organisers.
5. Learning roles and functions
Learning is a core function of Chelmsford Museums, and involves all staff and volunteers.
 We have a specialist education team who contribute input into learning experiences as
well as delivering a range of activities and sessions
 Specialist curators have a teaching responsibility as well as helping to develop new
educational activities
 Freelance tutors and volunteers with relevant expertise also contribute to the
educational content
 Museum assistants, volunteers and external organisations contribute to the programme
and run certain workshops or art & craft sessions
6. Educational networks outside the museum
The museum aims to make and maintain links with external groups including:
 The Heritage Education Group (HEG)
 The Group for Education in Museums (GEM)
 Advisory Teachers at Essex County Council
 The Children’s University
 Initial teacher training courses such as ITT, SCITT, GTP and PGCE
 Post-16 educational providers such as Anglia Ruskin University and Chelmsford College
 Focus groups comprised of volunteer teachers and other adults interested in education
 Participation in national initiatives such as Takeover Day and Adult Learners Week
7. Training
Chelmsford Museums will provide training to all staff as required in order that they can
participate fully in learning activities. This may include:
 Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for museum or school staff,
which may be delivered internally or by external agencies
 Training on the implications of the new primary National Curriculum, once the revised
scheme of work is published by the Government
 Training on developing skills of historical investigation to complement the soft skills
developed in schools (e.g. PLTS)
 Second placements for PGCE and other teacher trainee students
8. Marketing
Learning services will be marketed to interested parties via:
 Education newsletters
 An up-to-date web site with learning activities and downloads including session details
and risk assessments
 Promotional teacher events such as open days, conferences or evenings as required
 Attending staff meetings or organising INSET sessions for teachers
 Working in association with Essex County Council to promote school sessions, events
and teacher CPD opportunities
9. Evaluation
Chelmsford museums will evaluate their learning provision using both formative and
summative techniques.
 Formative assessment will assess the design, educational activities and objectives as a
new session is developed
 Summative assessment, including evaluation forms completed by teachers and group
leaders, will provide reflection and action points for improvement.
* Chelmsford Museum and the Essex Regiment Museum at Oaklands Park, and Sandford Mill