My Primary School is at the Museum
“My Primary School is at the Museum will be recognised in the future as a transformational idea, a landmark project, and a source of inspiration for all those who want to create better models of learning for children.” David Anderson, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
My Primary School is at the Museum (MPSM) is an existing, trialled and developing programme that places primary, nursery and pre-school children into museums, galleries and botanic garden settings for up to 11 weeks at a time, where they have received full time, fully cross-curricular education.
The project was conceived by Wendy James, of Garbers & James Architects, and supported by King's College, London. The project has placed 500 schoolchildren into cultural and natural settings to date. Evaluation by Kate Measures, Heritage Insider, has demonstrated significant benefits to schoolchildren pre COVID 19 in terms of improving cognitive, social and behavioural skills, increasing engagement in vulnerable students, staff development (for teachers and cultural sector staff) and bringing families and communities together.
Anna Cullum Associates have recently worked with Wendy James and the Museums Association to promote the programme more widely, as a rapid response to the challenges that the education and cultural sector are currently facing as a result of the pandemic. You can read our policy proposal here.