Assessment process

To achieve the rigorous assessment criteria, organisations must demonstrate the delivery of high-quality heritage learning. Applicants carry out a reflective self-assessment of their work, consult with their service users and present evidence of achievement against the six criteria of the Sandford Award. Once all of the applications are received and checked to ensure they meet the basic criteria they are allocated to a panel of volunteer Sandford Award assessors. The assessor will then contact the applicant via email to initiate the assessment process and follow up with an in-person visit and assessment of the learning service, provide mentoring and a report.

Assessments usually take place from March and continue until mid-July and must be arranged so that we can see educational groups take part in a site led learning programme. Each site is assessed by one or two assessors; if there are two, they will assess the learning service together. Assessors should have the opportunity to meet and talk with staff and volunteers who are involved in learning at the site. In addition, assessors should be given a comprehensive view of any areas of the site that are used to support the programme such as learning spaces and domestic facilities.

After the assessments, the assessors will compile their reports and submit them for review by a small group of assessors and moderators and then to the full Assessors’ Panel for consideration. The panel then makes its recommendations to the Board of Trustees of the Heritage Education Trust for consideration at their Sandford Awards ratification meeting held in the September. Results are notified to the primary contact on the application form shortly after the meeting together with a copy of the assessor’s report.  At this point, the site is welcome to issue a press release.

Banner image: English Heritage Education, Sandford Award holder