Museum of the Order of St John recognised in 2026 Family Learning Awards

The winners of this year’s Family Learning Awards have been announced, with the Museum of the Order of St John being Highly Commended in the Early Years category.

Three children in colourful smocks painting on a large paper mural featuring trees and a sun, with a yellow backdrop. — Photo courtesy of Museum of the Order of St John.

The winners of this year’s Family Learning Awards have been announced, with the Museum of the Order of St John being Highly Commended in the Early Years category.

The Family Learning Awards, organised by the lifelong learning initiative Campaign for Learning and the National Centre for Family Learning, celebrate imaginative, innovative and engaging initiatives across the UK that make a real difference to families and their communities. They recognise organisations that have used new approaches and collaborations in the past year to create inclusive learning opportunities for families.

The Museum of the Order of St John was recognised for its work to widen access to early years family learning through Growing Stories, a free, long-term programme for groups of under-3s and under-5s and their caregivers.

Based in Clerkenwell, the Museum – the heritage arm of St John Ambulance – combines stewardship of its historic site, including St John’s Gate, the Priory Church and its gardens, with inclusive cultural programming that links health, wellbeing and heritage.

Delivered in response to local need in Islington and surrounding boroughs, Growing Stories offers free monthly workshops for under 5s and their caregivers, alongside ‘Rhymes and Relics’ sessions which encourage independent exploration of the historic site as well as regular ‘Bring Your Baby’ tours. These sessions bring together storytelling, music, movement and sensory play within historic spaces.

The programme is shaped through co-production with families, ensuring content and delivery reflect lived experience, and is designed around the Early Years Foundation Stage Characteristics of Effective Learning to support children’s curiosity, persistence and creativity. It has achieved sustained engagement, with attendance rising from 347 participants in 2024 to 487 in 2025, sessions regularly oversubscribed, and 68% of families returning.

Participation supports children’s communication, creativity and problem-solving skills, while building parental confidence, strengthening social connections and encouraging wider cultural engagement, with 38% of families visiting another cultural venue following involvement. These outcomes continue to inform the programme’s development, with plans to expand provision, increase capacity and extend its reach while maintaining a clear focus on access and inclusion.

A family in a historic room, with a woman pointing, a man, a woman holding a baby, and colourful flags hanging above. A second photo of a young child holding a magnifying glass to their eye. — Photos courtesy of Museum of the Order of St John.

Welcoming the Family Learning Awards announcement, Hannah Agass, Learning and Engagement Manager at the Museum of the Order of St John, said:

“We are delighted that Growing Stories has been recognised in this year’s Family Learning Awards. This recognition reflects the contribution of everyone who has helped shape the programme – from families to community partners, volunteers and staff.

“Their insight and collaboration ensure that we can offer welcoming, accessible and enjoyable programmes that respond to the real needs of local families. It is particularly meaningful to see work with very young children and their caregivers acknowledged, as these early experiences can help build confidence, curiosity and a lasting connection with culture.”

In 2026, the four award categories recognised family learning projects working with children in the early years, innovative approaches to learning, activities supporting health and wellbeing, and initiatives involving science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).

Miranda Baxter, Deputy Director at Campaign for Learning, said:

“The Family Learning Awards recognise and celebrate exemplary and effective family learning initiatives taking place nationally. Every year, the judges are bowled over by the calibre of applications and standards of excellence across what is an exceptionally diverse and specialist sector in the UK.

“Family learning is about creating rich learning experiences and stronger relationships that transform thinking, boost skills and create a lifelong culture of learning. Every applicant has demonstrated a positive impact on their community. They have worked with families in creative and responsive ways in which the families were co-creators and valued as equal learning partners.

“Everyone benefits from family learning: families, organisers, the entire community ecosystem. The organisations and individuals submitting applications are a passionate group who truly believe in the power of family engagement. We at Campaign for Learning are thrilled to announce this year’s winners and commended organisations, and we thank everyone who submitted an application.”

Find out more about this year’s winners and commended organisations here.

Full list of categories and recognised organisations:

Family Learning in the Early Years Award

Early Years Cocoon C.I.C. (Winner)
Museum of the Order of St John (Highly Commended)
MK Gallery (Commended)

Family Learning to Support Health and Wellbeing Award

City of Doncaster Council (Winner)
Cardiff and Vale College (Highly Commended)
Adult Learning Service, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (Commended)
Gateshead Council – Learning and Skills (Commended)

Family Learning Innovation Award