Ouseburn Trust strikes gold twice with second Sandford Award
November was a great month for Ouseburn Trust! The charity, which works to protect, enhance, and showcase Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, was awarded their second Sandford Award.
As a prestigious recognition for their volunteer-led education provision, this is brilliant news for our school communities and the wider region. Well done to the whole team!
How the charity assists schools in the development and knowledge of pupils
The Ouseburn Trust has been recognised for delivering high-quality, curriculum-aligned learning experiences for a vast range of students, from primary school ages to young adults at university.
Utilising Ouseburn Valley’s rich and fascinating heritage and landscape, the charity brings students’ experiences to life through out-of-classroom trips that both inspire and motivate on many different levels.
The charity’s volunteer guides deliver two key events: tailored Victoria Tunnel tours and Back to the Future guided walks.
Thousands of students have benefited from this incredible place
The Trust has offered unique, immersive educational experiences to almost 2,000 students in the last 12 months alone!
Helpful volunteers have led themed Ouseburn guided walks with over 300 students from sixth forms and universities from across the region.
Additionally, almost 50 primary school groups have ventured into the Victoria Tunnel to help with Victorian history or World War 2 studies.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “The Ouseburn Trust offers an incredibly effective, engaging and fun way to learn fundamental subjects, and so we’re really pleased to hear that they’ve been awarded their second Sandford Award.
“Learning outside the classroom is an increasingly recognised and valued approach to education, and we should recognise how fortunate we are in the North East to have something like the Ouseburn Trust to facilitate these rewarding experiences.”
Passion, enthusiasm and knowledge shines through
Each Ouseburn Trust educational experience has been delivered by their team of volunteers, and it’s their passion, enthusiasm and knowledge that the Sandford Award recognises.
Emily Toth, Ouseburn Trust’s Heritage Project Officer, said: “I am very proud to work alongside our incredible team of volunteers – their skill, knowledge, enthusiasm, and creativity are at the heart of everything we do and are what have produced such an exceptional learning offer.
“I’m thrilled they have been given special recognition by the Sandford Award.”
The Sandford Awards highlighted the “formal, curriculum-aligned, heritage learning programmes that take place in the historic setting or natural environment and use the history and collections or natural resources to engage, inform and inspire visitors.”
Alison MacPhee, Sandford Award Lead Assessor, said: “The Ouseburn Trust of which the Victoria Tunnel forms a part, receives a well-deserved second Sandford Award.
“Now comprising valley tours in addition to the Tunnel tours, an oasis hidden in the centre of the Industrial heartland of Newcastle, adds renewed purpose to their rich and varied natural and historical heritage offerings.
“Clearly, The Trust continues to develop, going from strength to strength since the 2018 award with renewed purpose now offering a plethora of experiential visits allowing visitors of all ages to learn not only about the Victoria Tunnel but also about the geographic and economic environmental context in which it is situated.”
A firm favourite among local schools looking for fresh experiences
Many schools return to Ouseburn Valley through the Trust’s learning experience year on year, and it’s not hard to see why. Each year, they bring a new cohort along to experience the wonderful heritage of the Valley.
After a Victoria Tunnel experience, a visiting primary school teacher (from October 2023) said: “Our children enjoyed the visit and it very much enhanced their knowledge of World War 2. The volunteers were brilliant and all was so well organised.”
Alongside their in-person visits, the Trust offers online resources to support learning at home and in the classroom.
A teacher who accompanied their sixth-form students on a guided walk in October commented: “This is our second time as a school group on the Ouseburn walking tour and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We shall be back in two years to bring our next cohort of A-Level students.
“The talk is incredibly informative and there are a huge range of resources on the website. We teach A-Level Geography and this visit is incredibly beneficial for our Changing Place and Contemporary Urban Environments topics.”
It sounds like this is a very, very well-deserved award indeed. Congratulations, Ouseburn Trust! We wish you every luck as you continue to enrich the lives of thousands of local students for years to come.
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