Schools across the North East are being encouraged to take advantage of transport bursaries available to help pupils visit Bishop Auckland’s award-winning Faith Museum.
The funding, provided by the Jerusalem Trust, aims to remove barriers to educational visits by subsidising the cost of coach travel for eligible schools across the region.
The Jerusalem Trust is a national grant-making charity founded by Sir Timothy and Lady Susie Sainsbury. It supports religious learning in schools, media projects, and Christian and mission work in the UK and overseas. The Trust was a key supporter of the creation of the Faith Museum and has continued its commitment by funding school transport, recognising that travel costs can prevent many children from accessing valuable cultural and educational experiences.
Located in the heart of Bishop Auckland, the Faith Museum explores how faith has shaped lives and communities throughout 6000 years of British history. Through interactive displays, nationally significant objects and engaging learning activities, the museum provides curriculum-linked opportunities for pupils to explore themes including religion, identity, belief and culture.
The Auckland Project’s Learning and Skills team, recently shortlisted for a national School Travel Award, works with more than 11,000 students annually through immersive educational programmes across its heritage attractions and outreach activities in schools.
Charlotte Foakes, Learning Manager at The Auckland Project, said: “We know that transport costs can be one of the biggest barriers preventing schools from accessing enriching educational visits. Thanks to the generous support of the Jerusalem Trust, we’re able to help more young people experience the Faith Museum and engage with its unique stories, collections and learning opportunities.
“The Faith Museum encourages curiosity, discussion and understanding, helping pupils explore how faith has influenced individuals and communities across history. We would encourage eligible schools to get in touch and find out how the bursary could support a visit.”
Transport bursaries are available for eligible schools in the North East, both schools that already partner with The Auckland Project and those which have never visited. Schools interested in learning more about the funding and eligibility criteria are encouraged to contact The Auckland Project’s Learning and Skills team at: education[@]aucklandproject[.]org.
Designed by Níall McLaughlin, the Faith Museum – recently awarded Accredited Museum status by Arts Council England – opened to the public in October 2023 and is part of The Auckland Project’s collection of attractions, which have also been recognised for their architectural achievements by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) last year, when it was also awarded ‘Grand Winner’ in the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust’s 2024 Building Beauty Awards.
The museum explores the impact of faith on British society over the past 6,000 years. It features over 250 objects from various collections, including rarely seen items and contemporary commissions, to illustrate how faith has shaped lives and communities throughout history.
For more information, visit https://aucklandproject.org/ or email education[@]aucklandproject[.]org.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
