Dear all,
We are about to go through a minor restructuring. Education and Outreach
are currently split within the service and I would like to see them pulled
together under 1 Senior Management Team member whose sole remit
is 'Learning' in the broadest sense - ie a Learning and Audience
Development Manager (or equivelant) - as we already overlap in so many
areas is seems sensible to do so and will ensure consistency and clarity of
learning opportunities across the service for both staff and users.
I think one of the reasonings behind the split is that, because of the
diverse nature of Leicester's communities, the needs of community and
family groups are very different from those of our other 'learning'
audiences and therefore, their strategic management within the service and
with external bodies (Children's/Adult Services, Family Learning Group,
NIACE, Learning & Skills Council etc...) should be seperate. My
experience, along with that of my Outreach colleagues, suggests that this
is not the case.
Therefore, I am asking, no, pleading for you to give 5-10 mins of your time
to provide any evidence that supports either side of this debate. Is
Education/Outreach split on your SMT? Either way, why? Was there any
consultation carried out that effected your decision? Does your
museum/service have a large number of ethnic communities/visitors? How
does this effect the structure/running of your Education/Outreach team(s)?
Anything else we should consider?
The more evidence I can collate of what appears to be the accepted view,
then the stronger my argument for change (or, the easier to reassure our
Ed/Outreach teams that the continuation of segregation is workable, if that
is the case).
Although I'd like to use any evidence given in my arguments, if requested,
I will ensure your/your museum's anonyimity is maintained, and just include
you in my stats.
Thanking you enormously in advance for your time.
Yours sincerely,
Jim Butler,
Education Manager,
Leicester City Museums.
|