Anna Dermott, Education Co-ordinator
I work for the Royal Collection as the Education Co-ordinator at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queen’s Gallery, Edinburgh.
How did you get your job with the Royal Household?
I was a Freelance Education Assistant at the Palace, helping to run family events and schools sessions. When the Education Co-ordinator position was advertised I applied and have been a permanent member of the team since 2006.
What did you do before joining the Royal Household?
I took a postgraduate course in Museum Studies at university and followed this with a variety of short term paid and unpaid jobs in museum education to gain experience. Whilst I was volunteering with a local museum service I got the position of Freelance Education Assistant and balanced this with my voluntary role and temporary office work.
How would you advise someone looking for a job in this area?
I found gaining work experience, though often voluntary, was one of the most useful ways of preparing me for the role. Experience of planning and leading workshops or teaching sessions is very important, as is a flexible approach and ability to adapt to the different needs of the role – from organising our adult education programme and running family events to teaching school children.
An interest in the fine arts and of interpretation in galleries and heritage sites is also important. Though it is not essential, a teaching qualification or qualification in Museum Studies is also helpful.
What training and support is available to you?
There is a great variety of training opportunities within the Royal Household and it is easy to find out what is available on the internal intranet. Although I am based in Edinburgh, I am given the same support and opportunities to attend training in London or Windsor as others in the Household.
What’s it like working for the Royal Household?
It is a unique experience. I feel very lucky to work for the Royal Household. I get to work with a fantastic art collection and with a wide variety of people both here at Holyroodhouse and colleagues based in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Describe a typical day.
There is no typical day! During the school term, I spend quite a lot of time teaching schools sessions in the Palace, The Queen’s Gallery and our education rooms. The rest of my time is spent developing material for schools sessions, planning information evenings for teachers, organising adult education events such as lectures or art courses, or working on our programme of family activities.
The Education team also co-ordinates the development of audio guides for visitors to the Royal residences and The Queen’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh, which involves working alongside the curatorial team. We also run access programmes for blind/partially sited and deaf/hard of hearing audiences which, again, allows me to work with a number of people in the Household and externally.
What opportunities do you get that you would not get elsewhere?
Having a job in a working Royal residence is one of the most unique elements of my role, alongside the opportunity to work in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
