Learning is central to the Trust’s mission from the creation of the University of York to increasing the awareness and recognition of the diversity of York’s local heritage. Our museum at Fairfax House, members’ events programme, blue plaques and public programming provide rich enjoyable learning opportunities for audiences of all ages.
We believe that Learning is a process of active engagement providing unique enjoyable experiences helping people to understand the past, develop new skills and feel connected to the city and its heritage.
York Civic Trust actively works in partnership to deliver its learning ambitions. We worked closely with Explore York to develop a set of Key Stage 2 history resource packs (links below). We currently work with University of York, York College, and York St John University delivering experience-based skills development, placement and volunteering opportunities. Our partnership with the University of York’s Department of Archaeology the Heritage Planning Studio (Planning Club) is sector leading and award winning.
Learning is a life long activity and we offer opportunities for people of all ages to join experience our membership events and activities, volunteer with us or participate in one of our public activities.
We are developing an Integrated Learning Plan (to be published December 2025) which will set out our ambitions for learning across the organisation. As we approach our 80th anniversary in 2026 we are looking to the future. We will develop our digital learning offers, continue to enrich students’ learning experience in the city, widen our public offer, extend our members’ events programmes and, following the success of our Public Speaking Competitions, aim to work more closely with schools in York.
