Learning consultation analysis

ERS consultants carried out work to ascertain the views of head teachers, teachers and school pupils on museums. The consultation was done as part of the Renaissance East Midlands business planning process and included the views of pupils at six primary schools and four secondary schools, a questionnaire for teachers, a questionnaire for pupils and telephone interviews with 43 schools.

Renaissance East Midlands and MLA East Midlands will be working together in 2008 to disseminate the results of this consultation and other work including a report on schools participation and one on Local Education Authority priorities.

A summary of the current consultation report is below and copies of the executive summary and the full report can be downloaded using the links at the bottom of the page.

Teacher responses
211 questionnaires were returned, the majority (107) from primary schools, with 34 from secondary schools, 24 from infant/nursery, 17 from Junior schools and 11 from Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools.  The responses therefore are primary biased and the relatively low response rate was noted as linked to the timing of the consultation – late summer term.

Most frequent contact with museums was teacher-led visits, followed by museum-led visits. A number of teachers had used loans boxes and were very positive about them. In terms of need, the largest percentage wanted more sessions in schools and workshops led by museums.  Others also requested more loans boxes. 

The most requested resources were Key Stage 2 (reflecting the primary school bias).  Subjects most frequently covered included art and design, history and geography. Teachers noted that it was most difficult to find resources for history and geography. Following contact with museums, teachers noted positive personal and social development impact for pupils.

Children’s and young people’s responses 
524 responses were received, the majority from secondary school pupils (388) and most of these from 12 and 13 year-olds. In additional face-to-face and phone interviews were carried out which informs the following.

The majority of respondents were frequent museum visitors – 65% of secondary school respondents and 92% of primary respondents. The best museums for the respondents were those that offered interactive, visual and participatory displays and activities. Those with only a main focus on pictures and writing or nothing to touch were not rated highly. Young people expressed a desire for games, DVDs, dressing up, painting and designing activities from museums.

For some respondents, especially the younger ones, found some museums too big, with too much information to take in.  Therefore activity in schools or focused activities provided in the museums are an opportunity for Renaissance East Midlands. Some of the respondents also found that the content of some museums was more targeted at boys (war, sport, railways, machinery etc) than girls.

Additional assessment and recommendations
The consultants noted scope for museums to work with schools to signpost resources for Key Stage 5 and post 16 students’ independent learning.

While ICT is not an area that has been linked to museums, there is a great opportunity to engage in e-learning.  (See above for more detail on e-learning).

Learning outside the classroom is seen as important, particularly by students, as it provides opportunities to learn new ideas and helps aid students to concentrate and pay more attention.

It was noted that museums don’t and should use the Every Child Matters language in materials and marketing information for schools.

consultation with teachers, children and young people executive summary November 2007 (117 kb)

consultation with teachers, children and young people November 2007 (1338 kb)