Education Awards
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the Level 4-Communication Friendly Award from Stoke Speaks Out.
Stoke Speaks Out is a project that was set up to improve children’s communication by working with parents and carers in different venues and settings. The award was designed to help services and establishments that deal directly with children to achieve an environment that nurtures and encourages children’s communication.
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is the first museum in Stoke-on-Trent to have received the award. It is usually awarded to Nurseries and Children’s Centers. Achievement of the award is in recognition of the Museums ability to support the development of all children's communication skills. Activities have been introduced to the galleries to encourage communication especially for the under 5s. Families can try a range of fun activities like our special animal puzzle, dressing up clothes or hide inside the big tree and read their favourite book.
The museum is proud that it has been able to dispel any notions that it does not cater for a younger audience. A parent of a young child, Anthony Adams states that, 'I always find that the staff are friendly and proactive with small children. As a parent I feel relaxed bringing an 18 month old here knowing that my son can explore the museum in his own way without feeling he is a nuisance or is making too much noise'.
Amanda Heath, Education Officer, ‘We are very pleased to have received this award. All staff at the museum have worked hard in making the museum a space where children and families feel welcomed. I would like to thank the staff at Stoke Speaks Out for all their support and advice’.
'The Potteries museum and art gallery achieved their level 4 communication friendly award by demonstrating excellent practice in supporting communication for families. The museum has invested a lot of time and effort in developing interactive areas which are both stimulating and engaging. We hope that families will continue to visit the museum and benefit from this excellent approach. This award is well deserved and demonstrated what can be achieved by dedicated team work. ' Janet Cooper- Programme Lead, Stoke Speaks Out.
Stoke Speaks Out also provide specially designed training sessions, for more information please log on to: www.stokespeaksout.org
For more information about Stoke-on-Trent Museums and the range of family events and activities log on to stoke.gov.uk/museum
Angela Graham(Support and Development Manager) receiving the award from The Lord mayor of the City of Stoke-on-Trent Councillor Denver Tolley.
