Education Policy

Introduction

The North Norfolk Railway Partnership, called "The Railway" in this document, is composed of the North Norfolk Railway Plc and The Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society.

The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) is the operating company (not for profit), with the Society (charity registration no 1063676/0) administering the heritage collection on the railway. The William Marriott Museum is wholly owned by the Society and displays the Society's large collection of artefacts, photographs and documents in a purpose-built replica goods shed at the Holt station site, as well as at selected locations along the entire railway.

The Museum gained official registration in 1997, with full Accreditation being achieved in Spring 2008. Much of the museum collection is still in use along the railway, including locomotives, rolling stock, signage and signalling equipment. This has created a linear Working Museum over 5 miles in length, between Sheringham and Holt.

The Museum and Education department was formally set up as a joint operation between the NNR and the Society in 2004. Financial, planning and consultative assistance was provided by the Norfolk Museums and Heritage Partnership (2004 to 2007), using funds awarded to Norfolk by the European Regional Development (ERDF) Objective 2 fund, as well as from Norfolk County Council and other funders.

Education Mission Statement

The role of the Railway, as a working museum, is to enhance the quality of life for the local community and visitors by promoting understanding of the contribution of the Midland & Great Northern Railway, its predecessors and its successors, to the social development, economy and geography of the area.

Policy

The policy of the Railway is to give every visitor a learning experience.

Our target audiences are:-

1. Schools
2. Families
3. Elderly
4. Local Community

We have recently carried out research commissioned by the O2 museum project in Norfolk and will continue to facilitate regular in house research on visitor experience.

We are working towards adopting the Museums, Libraries & Archives Councils framework 'Inspiring Learning for All' which would

• Provide more effective learning opportunities
• Build creative learning partnerships
• Create inspiring and accessible learning environments
• Place learning at the heart of the museum

Our educational provision includes

1. Train ride
2. Educational Workshops
3. William Marriott Museum
4. Interpretation along the linear working railway
5. Outreach
6. Training

These provisions are assessed and evaluated regularly. Marketing and resources, basic training, including inductions are already established as part of the normal railway operation. Networking is provided by partnership working and membership of other organisations both local and national.

Policy Aims & Objectives

Aims

1. To promote and develop accessible Railway -wide interpretation.
2. To adopt a 'Life Long Learning' strategy.
3. To provide a permanent education centre on the Railway accessible to all.

Objectives

1. By developing at least one new area of interpretation on the Railway each year.
2. By developing a minimum of two new activities each year aimed at our target audiences.
3. By working towards the establishment of an appropriate building to house the railway education centre within the next 5 years.

Action Plan

1. A railway interpretation development team has been established. This includes the museum curator and the learning & access officer plus other appropriate key railway personnel who will prioritise areas of the railway and facilitate their development.
2. The education team will meet regularly, at least twice a year to discuss new activities and to review & evaluate:
   • target audiences
   • criteria – national curriculum, learning objectives
   • possible partnership working
   • funding
   • staffing
   • training
3. The Learning & Access Officer will attend Holt Development Meetings, to discuss the new centre in relation to the whole station site.
4. The operational education team will discuss the new centre at their meetings to establish requirements.
5. The Learning & Access Officer will co-ordinate a consultation exercise to establish the facilities and other requirements for the railway education centre.

Performance Indicators

Quantitative performance indicators include records of Visitor numbers (including breakdowns for schools events and William Marriott Museum) and income breakdowns. Another indicator is the ability to meet budgets & deadlines.

Qualitative evaluation includes direct feedback, questionnaires, information gathered from outside organisations and fed back to the railway.