How to enter

Applications for the 2024 Sandford Awards are now closed. To register interest in the 2025 round, entries will open on Monday 2nd December. Please check back here for updates nearer the time.


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.  Please have a look at a sample application form

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 In the event that the quality mark is withdrawn or the expiry date has passed without renewal, the organisation must remove the winner logo and all reference to Sandford Award from communications and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

  • 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 meeting

  • The 2025 Sandford Award Presentation Ceremony will take place in St Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday 20 November at 2pm.

Banner image: M&S Archive, Sandford Award holder