Independent Evaluation Report: Little Makers Programme - Museum Visits and Outreach for Key Stage 1 Pupils

This report presents an independent evaluation of the Little Makers programme at Black Country Living Museum (BCLM), commissioned to assess its impact, value and effectiveness for participating schools, pupils and the Museum.

The evaluation was undertaken to understand how the programme supports engagement, learning and inclusion, and to identify key strengths and areas for future development. Little Makers is a fully funded cultural education programme designed primarily for Key Stage 1 pupils across the Black Country. It combines immersive museum visits with follow-up outreach sessions in schools, with a focus on local heritage, hands-on learning, and widening access to cultural experiences for children who may otherwise face barriers to participation.

The evaluation adopted a mixed-methods approach, drawing on observations of museum visits and outreach sessions, a survey of 56 school staff, an interview with the Project Lead, and analysis of existing programme data. This approach enabled a rounded understanding of both measurable outcomes and participant experiences of the programme.

Findings indicate consistently high levels of pupil engagement, enjoyment and curiosity across both museum and classroom contexts, as observed during visits and reported by participating teachers. The programme demonstrates strong alignment with the Key Stage 1 curriculum, supporting learning across history, art and design, design and technology, music and science. Evidence from observations and teacher feedback suggests that learning is not only immediate but sustained, with pupils able to recall, apply and transfer knowledge and skills over time.

The programme also demonstrates a clear commitment to inclusion and access. Fully funded provision, including transport and outreach delivery, appears to reduce financial and logistical barriers, enabling participation from schools serving disadvantaged communities. Outreach sessions are identified by teachers and observations as playing an important role in reinforcing learning and extending impact within classroom settings.

Overall, the evaluation suggests that Little Makers is a high-quality, inclusive programme that delivers significant cultural and educational value. It supports meaningful engagement with local heritage, strengthens curriculum learning, and contributes to children’s sense of identity, curiosity and creativity within the contexts observed.

Key recommendations focus on strengthening and sustaining this impact. These include further development of outreach provision, continued co-creation with teachers and partners, refinement of delivery logistics (including group size), and the use of evaluation findings to inform future programme development and organisational learning.

This report provides a robust evidence base to inform future programme development and strategic decision-making.