Dear Sue

We have recently finished a 6 week Museum Club pilot with the Children’s University.  Their funding has come to an abrupt end so I don’t think we shall be continuing with them.  

With regard to pros/cons

• Initial uptake for the club was less than we were initially advised and then dropped by around 20% (which is to be expected)
• Often the group arrived late and the impact of this meant the sessions were diluted to fit the remaining time as we could not run late due to closing time of the museum
• Uptake of the new club from another school was marred by the fact that it now MUST be fully qualified teaching staff that accompany the children and this was found to be a problem for schools; we were lucky in the fact that the CU organiser has QTS and was able to accompany the pilot school group
• The children were fully immersed in the sessions and their feedback was all positive
• We encouraged active involvement from the curatorial staff and wrote this into the planning of the as an integral part of the course; this proved to be a positive experience for staff, particularly our conservator who has not had contact with school groups in this type of setting.  The children found the experience of visiting the lab really interesting and it was voted their favourite part of the course!
• Although we probably won’t be able to work with CU (unless they are funded by another body) we now have a club pilot under our belt and a six week course ready to roll out if we chose to (which we probably will)
• We would run a club on a Saturday rather than after school; your establishment may be able to run after school depending on your closing time and what time the school arrives.
• Accompanying adults and teaching staff were also learning something new with each session

The University of the First Age is a similar type of model.  I have worked with them before but within another and completely different type of establishment.  My own children have been part of a week long project they ran some years ago.  They are very organized and experienced and have been running for a number of years.  Definitely worth considering as partners.

If you would like further information please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Janice Adams

Assistant Museum Manager (Education & Loans)

Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery

Chequer Road

Doncaster

DN1 2AE

Barnby Dun (Loans site)                  01302 886491

Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery     01302 734293

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