How to enter
The application round for the 2025 Sandford Awards is now open! Please read our Eligibility Criteria and Guidance for Applicants before starting your entry.
Eligibility
Sandford Award is open to all heritage organisations large and local, urban and rural across the UK, (including the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) that have a site and/or a collection and deliver a formal learning programme. Please refer to our Eligibility Criteria before starting an application.
Entry process
To apply for a Sandford Award, you need to complete an application form and submit it by email.
Entry fee
The entry fee to apply for a Sandford Award is £400 per site. If your organisation manages more than one site, you should submit a separate application and entry fee for each.
Award validity
The Award is valid for five years, after which time, sites are invited to renew their application. In the event that the quality mark is withdrawn or the expiry date has passed without renewal, the organisation must remove the winner logo and all reference to Sandford Award from communications and promotional material.
Sandford Awards 2025: timetable
Monday 2 December: entries open
23:59 on Friday 14 February: entries close
March: onsite assessment visits begin
Friday 18 July : onsite assessments end
Assessors compile their reports and submit them for review and moderation and then to the full assessors’ panel for consideration. The panel makes their recommendations to the Heritage Education Trust, Board of Trustees for consideration at their meeting
Early September: The assessors’ panel meet to discuss the reports and the Heritage Education Trust, Board of Trustees make the final decision at the ratification meeting
Sandford Award applicants are notified of the outcome shortly after the ratification meeting
The 2025 Sandford Award Presentation Ceremony will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday 20 November at 2pm.
Banner image: M&S Archive, Sandford Award holder