How to enter
The Sandford Award recognises high-quality heritage learning provision across museums, galleries, archives, historic sites and other heritage organisations.
Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing an existing award, the process begins by checking your eligibility and reviewing the assessment criteria.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Before applying, please review our Eligibility Requirements to confirm that your organisation and learning programmes are eligible for the Award.
Step 2: Understand the assessment criteria
The Sandford Award criteria outline the six assessment criteria used to evaluate the quality of your heritage learning programme. They explain what assessors look for and provide examples of effective practice across each area of assessment.
Step 3: Guidance and Exemplar Applications
Our exemplar applications have been shared with kind permission to help you understand the application process, the types of evidence that can be included, and how successful applicants have demonstrated the assessment criteria in practice.
We understand that applying for the Sandford Award requires time and careful thought, and that capacity can sometimes be limited. However, many organisations tell us that the application process itself is a valuable opportunity for reflection, helping them recognise strengths, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for future development.
To make the process as straightforward as possible, we have provided the application form template. This allows you to familiarise yourself with the questions in advance, gather any supporting evidence you may need, and draft responses over time before submitting your application. The application form for the next round of the Sandford Award will be available here when entries open.
Step 4: Understanding the Sandford Award Journey
Our Guidance for Applicants takes you through each stage of the Sandford Award process, from application and assessment to feedback and recognition. It also includes information on the entry fee, timescales, post-assessment support and the annual Presentation Ceremony.
Step 5: Thinking about applying for the Sandford Award?
Register your interest and we will send you the application form and full application details when entries open.
2027 applications open: Monday 30 November 2026
Application deadline: Friday 12 February 2027
More Than an Assessment Framework
The Sandford Award criteria set out the six areas against which your heritage learning programme will be assessed. They explain what assessors look for when evaluating the quality of learning experiences at your heritage site and provide examples of effective practice across each criterion.
The six criteria and associated quality indicators provide a valuable framework for success, whether you are seeking recognition for an established learning programme or looking to develop and strengthen your learning provision. Many heritage organisations use the criteria as a planning and self-evaluation tool to support continuous improvement and enhance the quality of their learning offer.
Need some advice?
If you are unsure whether your heritage organisation is eligible, or would like to discuss any aspect of the application process, we would be very happy to help. Please get in touch for an informal conversation about your application.
“Achieving a Sandford Award for the Learning Department at St Paul’s Cathedral was important for us, as it gave us an opportunity for an external, unbiased assessment of our learning delivery. The assessment criteria are robust and the assessment visit, and subsequent report, have been really positive for the delivery team and wider organisation.
For us, finding an assessment framework which can cover a wide range of organisation types was vital as we don’t fit into your standard museum assessments, which are widely available in the heritage sector. Being able to highlight to our audiences that we hold a Sandford Award has built credibility, reassures schools and visitors of excellence, and highlights our commitment as an organisation to high quality learning and accessibility.
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Banner image: The Old Royal Naval College Greenwich, Sandford Award holder