Action Plan for Learning Activities in Blake Museum in line with the Forward Plan 2009 - 2012

Period 1: - STABLISATION 1 April 2009 to 31^stMarch 2010

• The museum was closed for refurbishment until May 2009.
• Appointment of the Learning Co-ordinator June 2009
• From June 2009 to 31^st July 2009 the Learning Co-ordinator gathered relevant information to move forward with the construction of a new Learning strategy for the museum.
• From September to December 2009 there was a trial period which was not taken up by Learning groups.
• From 12 November to 30 March 2010 the museum was closed for refurbishment, but Learning groups continued to be able to access the website and visit when it will be safe to do so.

The Action Plan developed the following the Key Aims of the Forward Plan: -

A1 & A2 Enquiries were directed to the new website to access information and encourage schools and other organisations to take up opportunities to learn from the information on the Learning page.

A2 In September 2009 the Learning Co-ordinator contacted local schools, colleges and other organisations to inform them of the availability of information on the website as an aid to Learning.

A5 Having made the initial contact, the Learning Co-ordinator invited them to consolidate their Learning experiences with a visit to the museum by arrangement.

A7 If volunteers showed an interest in working with children at the museum this was not discouraged and the necessary CRB checks were found to be satisfactory.

Period 2: - CONSOLIDATION 1 April 2010 to 31^stMarch 2011

A1 Throughout the year, the Learning Co-ordinator looked at ways to improve all aspects of the Learning activities.

A1, A2, A4, A5 & A7

The involvement in the 'Take One' project had an impact on the success of the Learning activities in the museum throughout the year. Having already held a symposium for teachers in January 2010 using the subject of "The Irene", the project was well underway in the schools by April 2010. The learning Co-ordinator kept in contact with the teachers and offered support. This was taken up by some and one volunteer visited several groups to demonstrate Knot-Making, thus showing the children a new skill; one of the key aims of the project. The Learning Co-ordinator and one of the deputy Hon. Curators visited schools to choose items of the children's work to display in the museum during an exhibition of The Irene throughout May and June. This encouraged school group visits and formed the basis for the increased numbers of school visitors to the museum in the period of the report - a total of 371 children. Feedback from teachers has been glowing and thanks received for all our efforts and continued support has been positive and encouraging.

In view of the success in 2010, it was decided to repeat the exercise using Bridgwater Castle as the subject for the Take One project in 2011. Invitations were sent to local schools again and a second symposium was held in January 2011 which included two returning teachers from last year. Evaluation forms completed at the end of the day could not be more praiseworthy with expressions of admiration at the quality of the presentations, research material made available and technological expertise. All said that they would get their children involved. An exhibition on Bridgwater Castle is due to be held in the museum in May 2011 and it is hoped that items of children's work will be made included again and school groups will visit as a result.

A2

A Discovery Box has been made by volunteers and items of historical interest have been placed in the trays. The box is on display in the Archaeology Room but may be moved to a more suitable location. It is hoped that visitors will want to explore the trays inside which have been labelled to show periods of history from Prehistoric to the present day.

A3

A new storage facility has been created on the first floor landing to enable safe storage of the Learning resources.

A5 & A7

We have now formed the basis for a learning Volunteer group. Members of the Bridgwater Garrison also get involved when needed. They are an established group which has supported the museum for several years and are an asset to the larger Learning team delivering quality presentations.

Period 3: - Foundation 1^st April 2011 to 31^st March 2013

By April 2011 it will be the aim of the Learning team to continue to deliver quality presentations, activities and provide information. When working with children and young adults the interaction should be informative and enjoyable. If the children are visiting the museum as an enhancement to a Learning experience at school or college, the learning team should now have in place a complete programme which caters for various learning styles which are visual, auditory and kinaesthetic.

A4 With the website and collections now established the Learning Co-ordinator will be looking for more ideas to enhance the Learning experiences for the visitors.

A5 As a centre of excellence the museum will have built up a reputation which should encourage a wider range of enquiries and follow-up visits. The Learning Co-ordinator and the team will be seen to be flexible and accommodating to all requests for learning activities within given parameters.

A7 The volunteers actively involved with the Learning programme at this time will be confident and knowledgeable in their delivery of a quality product

Kay Robins

Learning Co-ordinator, Blake Museum

27th February 2011