Learning and Engagement Assistant in Sudbury

Gainsborough's House is seeking a Learning & Engagement Assistant. We currently have an exciting opportunity to join the team at Gainsborough's House, the national centre dedicated to the work of Thomas Gainsborough.

Key information

• Location: Sudbury, CO10 2EU
• Salary: £24,000 FTE per annum (£19,200 pro rata); inflationary increase pending from April 2026
• Hours: 28 per week, generally worked over 4 days
• Pension: 8% employer contribution
• Holidays: 25 days pro rata + allowance for bank holidays
• Reports to: Learning & Engagement Curator

Purpose of the Role

The Learning & Engagement Assistant supports the planning, delivery and administration of high-quality learning, engagement and outreach activities at Gainsborough's House. Working closely with the Learning & Engagement Curator, the post holder will play a key role in delivering creative, inclusive and engaging experiences for a wide range of audiences, while gaining valuable experience in museum and gallery learning practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Learning & engagement
  • Assist in the development of learning and engagement activities for schools, families, young people, adults and community groups.
  • Deliver workshops, tours and creative sessions using agreed session plans and learning outcomes.
  • Support inclusive delivery for audiences with different access needs, learning styles and abilities.
• Schools & outreach
  • Assist with the delivery of schools' programmes and activities, including gallery tours, workshops and outreach sessions.
  • Help prepare learning materials, session resources and evaluation tools.
  • Alongside the Learning & Engagement Curator, administrate school bookings efficiently and professionally.
  • Travel to outreach venues as required to support off-site delivery.
• Print Workshop & creative programmes
  • Support the delivery of Print Workshop activities alongside Workshop Technicians, including workshops, day-to-day cover, administrating memberships, and delivering public programmes.
  • Assist with workshop set-up, clear-down and preparation of materials.
  • Support Technicians, visiting artists and practitioners during sessions.
  • Help maintain a safe, clean and welcoming working environment in the Print Workshop.
• Volunteers & work experience
  • Support volunteers during learning and engagement activities.
  • Assist with volunteer inductions and training, as directed by the Learning & Engagement Curator.
  • Support the development and delivery of work-experience placements and youth engagement programmes.
• Administration & organisation
  • Assist with maintaining learning resources, equipment, and activity spaces.
  • Support stock checks and ordering requests for learning materials.
  • Support the Learning & Engagement Curator to evaluate all departmental activities.
  • Collect attendance data, feedback and evaluation information from learning activities.
  • Assist with record-keeping and basic administration related to learning programmes.
  • Work with the marketing team to promote Gainsborough's House's learning and engagement offer.
  • Work with the Facilities team to ensure room bookings and resources are managed effectively.
• Safeguarding, health & safety
  • Follow all safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
  • Report safeguarding concerns promptly to the Learning & Engagement Curator (Designated Safeguarding Lead).
  • Follow risk assessments and health and safety guidance during all learning activities.
  • Support the creation of safe and welcoming environments for all participants.
• General
  • Attend relevant training, including safeguarding and access training.
  • Be available to deliver learning and engagement activities on selected weekends.
  • Comply with all Gainsborough's House policies and procedures, reporting any concerns to an appropriate person.
  • Act as an Ambassador for Gainsborough's House whilst on duty.
  • Work with the wider team to maintain tidy and organised back-of-house systems and spaces.

Important: The Learning & Engagement Assistant will be required to work occasional evenings and weekends in line with activity schedules. Undertaking a DBS check via the Disclosure & Barring Service is mandatory.

Person Specification

Essential attributes

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Excellent administrative and ICT skills
• Demonstrable experience of working effectively within a team
• Ability to contribute creative ideas for innovative and accessible learning programmes
• Experience of working with a variety of audiences and/or stakeholder groups
• Integrity, diplomacy and professionalism
• Ability to use initiative

Knowledge & qualifications

• Educated to degree level or with equivalent professional experience
• 5 GCSEs (A to C or Level 4 and above), including in English and Maths
• Knowledge of art and heritage

Personal

• Reliable, adaptable and a positive attitude
• Ability to work calmly under pressure
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Able to accommodate some evening and weekend work (for which time off in-lieu will be given)

Desirable attributes

• Experience of working in education within an arts and/or heritage context
• Experience of supporting people with varied access needs
• Experience of printmaking
• Knowledge of the work of Thomas Gainsborough
• Knowledge of health & safety legislation and best practice
• Knowledge of current issues and best practice in the museum and heritage learning sector
• Full UK driving licence

How to apply

To apply, send an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement. These should be PDF or MS Word documents and both file names should include your full name. The supporting statement should be no longer than 2 sides of A4 and should directly relate your personal skills and experiences to the list of Essential and Desirable attributes listed above. The closing date for applications is: Tuesday 10 March, 12noon. We expect interviews to be held week commencing Monday 23 March.

About Gainsborough's House

Gainsborough's House is the National Centre for Thomas Gainsborough RA (1727–88) one of the icons of British art. It is the childhood home of Gainsborough and contains the largest single concentration of his works in the world. Its mission is to promote the wider knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of the art of Thomas Gainsborough, both nationally and internationally. As an artist home our purpose is to support the role artists play in society and the contribution they make to our cultural life. Gainsborough's House reopened in 2022, featuring newly developed exhibition galleries that host a diverse programme of historic and contemporary art. The site is open daily from 10am to 5pm, providing an inspiring space for visitors.

Equal Opportunities

Gainsborough's House is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all suitable-qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Our selection process is based entirely on merit and experience relevant to the role. We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

All recruitment processes at Gainsborough's House are covered by our privacy policy, which states that your personal data is only kept for the intended purpose, and only for as long as it is relevant.

This Learning and Engagement Assistant post is generously funded by The Linbury Trust.