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The Argory, the National Trust property near Moy, has picked up a prestigious national award recognising the quality of its schools education programmes. The historic property was one of four National Trust properties in Northern Ireland to receive the impressive Sandford Award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to heritage education.
Sandford Awards recognise quality and excellence in education services and are administered by the Heritage Education Trust, whose Chief Executive, Gareth Fitzpatrick, said:
"The Trust’s Northern Ireland programmes are of a very high standard, imaginative, enjoyable and full of wonder. Teachers opting to visit the Argory can be reassured that great care has been taken to ensure that all the programmes are linked to the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum."
The three other award winning National Trust properties were Florence Court in Co Fermanagh; Springhill in Co. Londonderry and Castle Ward in Co Down.
Praising the education team on their achievement, Hilary McGrady, Director of the National Trust in Northern Ireland, commented:
"This is a fantastic achievement which recognises the excellent work undertaken at National Trust properties across Northern Ireland. The Trust’s Education Programme has proved to be extremely successful in developing children’s understanding of local history, science and the environment. The fact that we have picked up four awards speaks volumes about the dedication, commitment and creativity of our team of education officers and guides, and I would congratulate them on their achievement."
The National Trust in Northern Ireland welcomes over 30,000 schoolchildren to its properties each year as part of its regional education programme. The children take part in a broad range of subjects from the coastal environment to working conditions in the Victorian era. The Trust’s series of education programmes demonstrate how heritage facilities can serve and benefit the school’s curriculum, enabling people of all ages to come into contact with different aspects of heritage through enjoyable and innovative learning programmes. As well as providing interactive learning in situ the programmes facilitate cross-community paired school partnerships and encourage mutual respect of culture and traditions.
The comprehensive, curriculum based schools programme is supported by the BT Community Partnership Programme and the Department of Education. For further information on the range of Learning Programmes available at The Argory please contact Carol McAdam on 028 8778 9484.
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