BOWHILL House and Country Estate has joined an elite group of UK and Irish heritage sites to be awarded a prestigious Sandford Award for the high quality education programme it delivers to children of school age.

The coveted award was picked up by the team at Bowhill House at a recent ceremony in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London – the Estate was recognised amongst other high profile visitor destinations including Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and the V&A Museum of Childhood. The Sandford Awards scheme was created in 1978 and represents a broad spectrum of heritage sector partners who recognise the importance of a continuing education programme.

The Awards focus on formal, curriculum-linked education opportunities offered to schools by heritage sites, although recognition is also made of informal learning such as family programmes.  Helen Currie, House Manager at Bowhill House and Country Estate attended the annual awards ceremony to accept the award. She said: “To be recognised amongst some of the top heritage sites across the UK and Ireland is a real honour and true testament to the hard work and dedication put in by the team here at Bowhill. We are committed to delivering a top class education programme that excites and inspires pupils to get a real flavour of the history of the House and the Estate.

“The feedback we received from the judging panel was very encouraging and reinforced that our programmes are engaging for all. We look forward to moving forward with and continuing to improve our educational offering throughout 2015.” A schools visit to Bowhill targets the key elements of the Curriculum for Excellence whilst ensuring that everyone has fun at the same time. Youngsters get the opportunity to enter the Victorian Kitchen and step back in time with a visit to the drawing room or dining room, and the wide acres of Bowhill Estate make the ideal place to learn about nature, wildlife and the relationship with the environment.

Sandford Award lead judge, Emma Webb, added: “Bowhill House and Country Estate offers a unique resource for learning and teaching, with imaginative, creative programmes that support educational experiences and outcomes across a wide age range.

“A friendly, experienced education team will welcome pupils and offer an engaging programme of activities that will inspire their ideas and questions and help to develop their understanding about the past and the natural world.” Bowhill House and Country Estate offers a travel subsidy of up to £100 to help with bus costs. For more information on a schools visit call 01750 22204 or email education@buccleuch.com.