Job Description

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum is undertaking an exciting new project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Synergy Project aims to make our heritage accessible to new and underrepresented audiences in an entertaining and meaningful way. The project will physically redevelop the heritage galleries and transition spaces, as well as implement a heritage education offer to complement our already successful STEM programme. We are seeking to procure an Education Consultant/Consultancy as part of this project.

Summary:

These services will comprise the development and evaluation of a new heritage education offer for schools, which coincides with the improvement of the gallery space in the Museum and complements Catalyst's existing education programme.

The consultant will be required to develop 3 schemes of work aimed at:

KS1 years 1&2

KS2 (lower) years 3&4

KS2 (upper) years 5&6

Each scheme will be deliverable over half a term, or 5 units of work, with one of the units being a gallery tour and workshop at Catalyst. These workshops will be delivered by members of the Catalyst education team. This format has been developed through focus groups with local teachers.

Contract Details:

Value - Professional fees - maximum amount available 14,975

Payable 40% on appointment, 40% mid-contract and 20% upon completion of an evaluation report.

Contract is for a period ending July 2027

Point of Contact: Hannah Jones (hannah.jones@catalyst.org.uk)

Closing Date for Submission: 24th November 2025

Note that all amounts quoted in this advert exclude VAT.

1. Introduction: Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum.

Catalyst is an interactive science centre and museum devoted to chemistry and how the products of chemistry are used in everyday life.

Our mission is to inform, educate and inspire the widest audience about the relevance of chemistry, through our unique offerings and hands-on experiences, our rich industrial heritage archives and our strong links to the local area.

Catalyst welcomes visitors from the local area and beyond, with special events for schools, families, and SEN groups all year round.

A charity launched in 1987, Catalyst celebrates the local chemical industry heritage and is home to a large number of archives and historic artefacts from firms such as ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) regionally and across the world.

2.

Project Synergy

2.1 Overview

In 2024, the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded Catalyst the funding for the Delivery Stage of the Synergy Project, which aims to make our heritage accessible to new and underrepresented audiences in an entertaining and meaningful way. The project will physically redevelop the heritage galleries and transition spaces, as well as implement a heritage education offer to complement our already successful STEM programme.

The Synergy Project is our vision for a new Heritage Offer with co-creation at its heart. Our Co-creation Group (COG) was instrumental in working with the co-creation consultants and consisted of representatives from our target audiences:

1. People living with mental health challenges and those experiencing isolation/loneliness

2. People with learning and/or physical disabilities and their support networks

3. Chemical industry community; local community; past and present workers

4. Local primary schools; children, families and teachers

The themes for the heritage galleries recommended by the Co-creation Consultants are: Our Place, Our Industry, Our Lives/People, Your Chemicals.

Our target audiences were also consulted on display and accessibility requirements.

Outputs for the Synergy Project include:

Highlighting the importance of the Northwest and its communities and how this influenced the development of the global chemical industry Enhancing our education and community engagement programmes by implementing a Heritage offer to complement our Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) activity Creating new and improved heritage galleries and utilising unused transition spaces such as hallways and stairwells which will link the heritage galleries more coherently. Digitising our extensive archive, making it more accessible to the public than ever before.
The NLHF outcomes chosen for the project are:

A wider range of people will be involved in heritage

Heritage will be identified and better explained

People will have developed skills

People will have greater wellbeing

Funded organisation will be more resilient

Together, through the Synergy Project, we will create a place where locals feel proud of their history and where visitors everywhere are excited to explore.

Through the artefacts and stories of its workers, this project will enable us to share and inspire visitors about the chemical industry, the scientific pioneers from this area, and the inventions that have radically shaped our lives, past and present.

3.0 Scope of the Work

Catalyst is looking to procure an Education Consultant/Consultancy as part of the Delivery Phase of the Synergy project.

The successful consultancy will be appointed by the Museum (the Client) and be expected to work alongside the Client and the Core Operational (Delivery) Group comprising:

Hannah Jones - Synergy Project Manager Nikki Burton - Project Lead Judith Wilde - Heritage & Collections Manager Lucinda Lewis - Education Manager Josie Fallon - Claims & Monitoring Support Design & Build Consultant Digital Marketing Consultant
The consultancy services required will include the following:

Liaise with Catalyst Education Team to develop new heritage workshops for schools based on Synergy exhibition content:

Kick off meeting planned with Catalyst Education Team Regular update and planning meetings throughout the development of Scheme of Work
Write Scheme of Work:

Liaise with the Teacher's Focus Group and Catalyst Education Team to co-create Scheme of Work for KS1, Lower KS2 and Upper KS2 Create downloadable and digital resources (includes design, layout, and production of suitable resources) to support delivery of the Synergy Education Programme Facilitate creation of 4 trial loan boxes linked to the development of the new exhibition with Catalyst Education Team and Heritage & Collections Manager
Assist Education Manager and Synergy Project Manager with recruitment of Creative Practitioner(s):

Support and attend interview process for Creative Practitioner candidates Provide overview of Scheme of Work and collaborate with Creative Practitioners on integration into the education offer Review Creative Practitioner sessions in schools and make any necessary recommendations for improvement or development
Facilitate and evaluate pilot project as part of Scheme of Work development:

Liaise with Catalyst Education Team and Creative Practitioners to deliver and evaluate pilot project of new heritage Scheme of Work - 4 different workshops per age group (1 for each of the Synergy themes), and a visit to the Museum Produce an evaluation report which reviews the pilot delivery of the new heritage education offer, and provides recommendations for improvement and implementation going forward
Support Catalyst Education Team in adapting education resources for delivery at specialist events:

Includes one - off activities linked to the Big Draw and Makefest
3.1 Schedule of Services

Stage 1: within 1 month - Kick off meeting with Education Team

Stage 2: within 6 months - Work with Education Team and Teacher Focus Group to develop schemes of work and design resources

Stage 3: within 12-15 months - Pilot delivery of each of the schemes of work with targeted age groups

Stage 4: June-July 2027 - Review and provide recommendations for continuation of delivery of schemes of work

Ongoing - Provide regular feedback to the Project Manager and Project Management Group

3.2 Catalyst Management of the Commission

The commission will be managed by the Synergy Project Manager. Regular communication is expected throughout the project, comprising a monthly update

4.0

Procurement budget, process and timescale

4.1 Procurement budget

The maximum fee available for this commission is 14,975, excluding VAT.

4.2 Inclusions and Exclusions

The maximum fee for this commission is 14,975; there is no additional budget. Appointed consultants are expected to cover their own expenses e.g. travel.

4.3 Procurement Process

This is an open competitive tender led by Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum.

Please include in your written response to this Invitation to Tender:

A written response of no more than 10 sides of A4 demonstrating relevant experience, qualifications and skills, and a proposed approach/methodology, in line with the criteria outlined in Section 6. Please provide project examples with testimonials where possible. Please use recent and relevant projects, as outlined in Section 6. Where possible, examples should demonstrate relevance to the chemical or heritage sectors. A proposed timeline with key milestones. Please provide a lump sum fee proposal (inclusive of reasonable expenses, but exclusive of VAT) to deliver the schedule of services found in Section 3 and details of how your time would be broken down against the fee. Please ensure that your fees include for any reasonable expenses and disbursements that Catalyst may require. Details of professional insurance.
Any enquiries or requests for information relating to this brief should be submitted to Hannah Jones, Synergy Project Manager.

Your response must be submitted to Hannah Jones at Hannah.jones@catalyst.org.uk by 5pm Monday 24th November 2025.

Site visits can be arranged by contacting Hannah Jones, Hannah.jones@catalyst.gov.uk

4.4 Procurement timetable

Proposed timetable:

Invitation to Tender issued - 31st October 25

ITT response deadline - 24th November 25

ITT evaluation and shortlisting deadline - 5th December 25

Interviews - 15th December 25

Contract start date - ASAP

The award of this contract is subject to approval by our funding partners.

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 18 months

Pay: 14,975.00 per year

Benefits:

Discounted or free food Employee discount Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Widnes WA8 0DF