UKTV History's 4th Best Historic Site

UKTV History, Britain's Best Historic Sites 2007: Tamworth Castle achieved 4th place, the only castle to feature in the top ten of Britain's Best Historic sites, voted for by the UK public.

Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS)

Tamworth Castle has now become a member of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS). This award is conducted by Visit Britain and is a nationally recognised membership, one in which customers and the tourism industry hold high regard for.

Sandford Award for Higher Education

Tamworth Castle has won the 2006 Sandford Award for Heritage Education, a nationally acclaimed award for educational programmes offered at Heritage venues. Entrants are judged on the quality of all the aspects of educational visits on offer to children. "Winners are heritage sites and historic properties who allow meaningful access and understanding for all." In short this is a truly prestigious award and recognises the quality of educational programmes on offer at the town's number one heritage attraction.

Throughout the past 2 years the Education Team at the Castle have welcomed 17000 children visitors.

The education service was established in 1995 and has evolved into a thriving, high quality heritage education provision. The education service offers over 17 different curriculum led workshops for Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 students from Saxon period to World War Two. Workshops include role-play, handling of original and replica artefacts, trying on of period costume and participating in period household activities. Workshops range from the 'Victorian Servants' session where children carry out servants chores which must be completed to the housekeepers satisfaction; To the 'Medieval soldier' session that enables children to kit up as a medieval soldier and carry out basic Bill drill.

The Sandford award was set up as a direct result of The European Architecture Year in 1975. A panel of independent Judges assesses entrants for Sandford Awards. The current panel of Judges is drawn from professional educationalists including OFSTED Inspectors, former head teachers, education consultants and heritage property based education officers.

Facilities are judged on the following criteria:-
1) The awareness of and adherence to the statutory requirements of the appropriate national curricular.
2) An interpretation of the property that contributes to raising the awareness of the understanding of the local and national heritage.
3) Evidence of good liaison between the property and appropriate educational establishments.
4) How well the educational potential of the property is being developed.
5) Provision of relevant educational resources.
6) Availability of the necessary domestic facilities.
7) Provision of additional facilities that enhance the quality of the students' visit.

Tamworth Castle's recognition of the local and national heritage was a huge factor in the judge's decision:-
"Throughout the property, a feature is the collection of artefacts; these are used particularly effectively when presented to young visitors for examination and interpretation. The "dressing up" of a boy and a girl, in good quality Tudor replicated costumes, was used effectively to point out the differences between modern and Tudor clothes."

The judge then went on to point out the staffs importance in the visits:-
"What was seen of the practical nature of the education staff's interpretation of the castle's history, and of the lives of some people who once lived there, causes the belief that all interpretive situations are treated equally well." "The staff members knowledge of the historical periods and events that are presented to visitors is good, and they are very well able to discuss their approach with groups whose knowledge is greater of less than expected."

The judge's report also recognised Tamworth Castle's part in encouraging development with college students:-
"The student on placement, who was on her second day of work experience period, gave a clear indication of the trouble taken by castle staff and her college to make the placement meaningful to her studies. It was encouraging to see that the instruction that she had received fitted her well to take the sustained role of the junior servant."

After each visit the teachers are given an evaluation form and a S.A.E. to express any praises or concerts they may have. The Education Officer then relays this information to the staff through regular monthly team meetings. Suggestions then occur on how to improve and develop the programme. The judge commented on the results on the evaluation in a report and concluded:-
"The accumulated result of evaluation is a current programme of presentations of high quality and enjoyment."

Bookings for educational visits were seen to be "very satisfactory" by the judge. All bookings are made through the Education Officer or Education Assistant via telephone or in person. The educational team encourages teachers to pre-visit the venue, thus giving them an idea of what to expect on arrival. Then upon arrival the educational team welcomes the teachers and children with all the information required, such as safety precautions, timetable of the days activities, location of toilets etc.

All this lead to a glowing report by the judge and Tamworth Castle gaining the Standford Award for Heritage Education 2006.

In conclusion of the judge offered this statement,
"As witnessed, the service is of sustained high quality. From the moment that the groups were greeted, until their departure, the pupils involved in the presentations were involved and focused upon their given tasks. The decided means of transmitting knowledge through role play (in costume) and by discussion and hands-on practical activities (out of costume) worked well for this group of education staff because they had been trained very well and believed in what they were doing. The performances were polished, very well sustained and based on authenticated background history. This was easily one of the better examples of role play seen by the judge."