"HAT staff have gained an invaluable insight into working with non-formal learners, exploring how archives can be used to promote learning and boost self-confidence...The grant has assisted HAT in forging links with local establishments with a view to developing future projects." Learning & Access Development Coordinator, HAT Archive, participant in 2009-10
Learning Links formed part of the MLA's Strategic Commissioning workforce development programme which offered opportunities for museum and archive educators, teachers, trainee teachers and other cultural sector and children's and young people's professionals.
Learning Links provides the opportunity to initiate, build and sustain learning partnerships through experiencing each other's working environment and practice.
Effective partnerships with museums and archives can have a positive impact on teaching practice, engagement and attainment of children and young people and can support school development plans.
Learning Links is framed around the MLA's Self Assessment Framework (SAF) which is an appropriately differentiated version of the Common Core of Skills for the children's workforce. The SAF allows Learning Links participants to identify specific areas of skills and knowledge that they would like to develop through peer and partnership learning. Click here to find out more about the SAF.
Key findings
Learning Links participants have identified key ingredients for developing a successful partnership through a placement:
- Open dialogue throughout the placement
- A time limit for project-based activity
- Complementary aims for a placement from all partners.
For further information about the Learning Links model and key evaluation findings, take a look at:
Learning Links Key Findings 2009-11 (PDF 1.2MB)
Effective placement planning with the Self-Assessment Framework (SAF) (PDF 28KB)
Learning Links Sharing Directory
In 2010-11, Learning Links supported 568 placements across England. These placements supported museums and archives to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of working with children from the ages of 0-19.
A selection of mini case studies from 2009-11 participants are available which share the experiences, challenges and triumphs of working in partnership. These case studies have been broken down into the following audience areas.
Learning Links participants 2009-11
A – Early years placements (PDF 277KB)
B – KS1 placements (PDF 50KB)
C – KS2 placements (PDF 413KB)
D – KS3 placements (PDF 149KB)
E – KS4 & KS5 placements (PDF 107KB)
F – 14-19 placements (PDF 123KB)
G – SEN; SEBD & Hospital Education placements (PDF 347KB)
H – Family placements (PDF 80KB)
East of England case studies 2009-10 (PDF 276KB)
List of Learning Links participants (PDF 35KB)
Learning Links for home educators
MLA has used Learning Links to work with the National Elective Home Education Forum to develop a simple guide for home educators interested in working with their local museums and archives.
Do try this at Home! MLA guide for home educators (PDF 974KB)
Tips for working with schools
In addition to this sharing directory, Learning Links placements have identified practical tips for working with schools. These have been pulled together into a simple guide for cultural organisations interested in working with schools in their area:
Top Five Tips for Working with Schools (PDF 93KB)