I'm working with the small team at Selby Abbey to review their educational activity as part of a stage 2 bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the £1.2m 'Origins' project. The project aims to restore the Abbey's North Transept, including the historic St Germain stained glass window, and develop learning and engagement programmes that will tell the story of its early history. Selby Abbey was founded with a Royal Charter from William I in 1069 and is one of the few abbey churches to survive the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s. Today it remains a place of worship but is also a significant heritage attraction for the town's visitor economy and plays a role in supporting a local community that is among the 30% most deprived in the country. 

I'm working with an associate, Ali Bodley, to review the strengths and weaknesses of the Abbey's current learning offer, which spans early years to postgraduate levels, and identify opportunities to develop educational programming through the Origins project. Developing a sustainable delivery model will be critical as the Abbey, like many organisations, needs to be financially sustainable into the future - it's great to be working with Fiona and Kate at DBA Consulting who are working on the business plan. We have a tight deadline to get everything finished so working collaboratively is vital. It's also great to be able to hang out in an inspiring building. I'm particularly taken with the wonky arch!