Job Title: Evaluation Consultant

Responsible to: Learning and Museum Manager

Location: The Tall Ship Glenlee, Glasgow, with evaluation work in local schools.

Project Title: Sail the Future – STEM at Sea onboard The Tall Ship Glenlee

Contract Value: £6,000

Duration: Fixed term contract from September 2026 – July 2027

About the Tall Ship Glenlee:

The Tall Ship Glenlee Trust is a registered Scottish charity dedicated to preserving, maintaining and interpreting the last remaining Clydebuilt sailing ship of its kind still afloat in the UK. The Tall Ship is one of the city’s busiest, most vibrant visitor attractions, located in the heart of Glasgow at the Riverside Museum and River Clyde. Of the many hundreds of ships built in Glasgow’s shipyards, Glenlee is one of only four Clyde-built tall ships still afloat in the world today. We are an independent museum and venue committed to the preservation and interpretation of Glenlee and increasing awareness of Glasgow’s maritime history for the benefit of local people and visitors to Glasgow.

Sail the Future: STEM at Sea will be a dynamic learning and engagement programme centred on the historic Tall Ship Glenlee in Glasgow.  We will use the ship’s heritage as a springboard to inspire young people with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills, while connecting these to the modern maritime sector’s transition to renewable energy. The programme will empower students from local schools in Govan and Partick to co-design and test new STEM workshops, ensuring that young people themselves help shape how engineering is represented and taught onboard. These workshops will then become a lasting resource for other schools and visiting groups to enjoy, enriching the ship as a cultural and educational attraction.

With funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Ingenious Fund, students from four local primary schools will co-produce a series of STEM workshops with professional engineers.

Key goals of the project are to:

• Inspire interest in STEM among young people, particularly those underrepresented in engineering pathways.

• Foster intergenerational learning by bringing school students together with maritime engineers and museum professionals.

• Create hands-on workshops aligned with the curriculum, using Glenlee’s history to explore STEM concepts in a real-world context.

• Promote environmental awareness and climate literacy by linking traditional sailing technologies to modern renewable energy solutions for shipping.

The expected impact of Sail the Future: STEM at Sea is to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers, build pride in Glasgow’s maritime heritage, and create a programme of high-quality curriculum-aligned workshops that will benefit schools across the city for years to come.

Evaluation

The evaluation consultant will work closely with the Tall Ship Glenlee Learning team, the school partners and the engineers during the span of the project. This will include using both quantitative and qualitative methods to measure reach, outcomes, and impact in line with the expectations of the funders.

An evaluation plan has already been developed as part of the initial funding application.

Key deliverables:

1. A proportionate and achievable evaluation plan for the project, including (but not limited to):

•Participant feedback – Pre- and post-workshop surveys with students to measure changes in awareness, interest, and confidence in engineering.

• Teacher evaluations – Short feedback forms and follow-up conversations to assess curriculum alignment, perceived student engagement, and classroom impact.

• Engineer reflections – Inviting engineers involved in co-design and delivery to share reflections on the value of participation and the effectiveness of the collaboration.

• Attendance and demographics – Monitoring participation numbers, age groups, and representation from underrepresented audiences in STEM.

• Observation and documentation – Staff and facilitators’ observations of student engagement, teamwork, and problem-solving during workshops.

• All tools and mechanisms required for carrying out the evaluation.
• Some interviews with participants as required / appropriate
• Analysis of all data returned
• A final report suitable for submission to the funders
• A report with recommendations for internal use by the Tall Ship Glenlee for future developments in STEM learning onboard

Fee

The budget for this work is £6,000 (ex VAT) including all expenses.

We expect you to quote a lump sum price for the commission with a staged fee proposal including day rates for all key personnel, allocated resource days and any allowances for expenses.

Required Skills and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience evaluating STEM, education, heritage or public engagement projects.
• Experience designing mixed-method evaluation frameworks.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Experience working with schools and young people.
• Knowledge of ethical evaluation practice and GDPR requirements.
• Ability to produce clear, professional reports for funders.

Desirable

• Experience evaluating engineering engagement projects.
• Knowledge of museum and heritage learning.
• Familiarity with Royal Academy of Engineering or similar STEM funding programmes.
• Experience measuring EDI and inclusion outcomes.

Requirements of the submission

Your proposal should include:

• Two case studies of evaluation you have delivered for projects of a

similar scale/nature

• An outline of your methodology and approach to delivering the commission

• Outline programme for the commission and confirmation that you can work to the

required timescale

• CV(s) of personnel who will deliver the services, demonstrating relevant experience

• Fee proposal. Please indicate a lump sum fee (excluding VAT, but including

expenses), and specify your daily rate(s) and VAT status.

• Two referees from recent commissions of a similar nature

Selection criteria

Tenders will be evaluated on a 30/70% cost/quality basis:

Applications should be submitted to Lauren Henning (lauren.henning@thetallship.com) by 5pm on Friday 25 September.

Questions about the opportunity should be submitted by Monday 21 September.

Job Title: Project Officer

Responsible to: Learning and Museum Manager

Location: The Tall Ship Glenlee, Glasgow, with outreach delivery in local schools. Some development work may be undertaken on a hybrid basis.

Project Title: Sail the Future – STEM at Sea onboard The Tall Ship Glenlee

About the Tall Ship Glenlee:

The Tall Ship Glenlee Trust is a registered Scottish charity dedicated to preserving, maintaining and interpreting the last remaining Clydebuilt sailing ship of its kind still afloat in the UK. The Tall Ship is one of the city’s busiest, most vibrant visitor attractions, located in the heart of Glasgow at the Riverside Museum and River Clyde. Of the many hundreds of ships built in Glasgow’s shipyards, Glenlee is one of only four Clyde-built tall ships still afloat in the world today. We are an independent museum and venue committed to the preservation and interpretation of Glenlee and increasing awareness of Glasgow’s maritime history for the benefit of local people and visitors to Glasgow.

Sail the Future: STEM at Sea will be a dynamic learning and engagement programme centred on the historic Tall Ship Glenlee in Glasgow.  We will use the ship’s heritage as a springboard to inspire young people with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills, while connecting these to the modern maritime sector’s transition to renewable energy. The programme will empower students from local schools in Govan and Partick to co-design and test new STEM workshops, ensuring that young people themselves help shape how engineering is represented and taught onboard. These workshops will then become a lasting resource for other schools and visiting groups to enjoy, enriching the ship as a cultural and educational attraction.

With funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Ingenious Fund, students from four local primary schools will co-produce a series of STEM workshops with professional engineers.

Key goals of the project are to:

• Inspire interest in STEM among young people, particularly those underrepresented in engineering pathways.

• Foster intergenerational learning by bringing school students together with maritime engineers and museum professionals.

• Create hands-on workshops aligned with the curriculum, using Glenlee’s history to explore STEM concepts in a real-world context.

• Promote environmental awareness and climate literacy by linking traditional sailing technologies to modern renewable energy solutions for shipping.

The expected impact of Sail the Future: STEM at Sea is to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers, build pride in Glasgow’s maritime heritage, and create a programme of high-quality curriculum-aligned workshops that will benefit schools across the city for years to come.

Outputs

Development

• Plan and develop a half-day training session for the engineers involved in the project. Training will cover the history of Glenlee, safeguarding expectations, inclusive communication techniques and active learning strategies.
• Develop three 60-minute co-development sessions for each participating school, incorporating the expertise and input of the engineers.
• Develop four fully resourced workshops, including all required equipment, workshop outlines and Curriculum for Excellence learning outcomes, ready to be promoted and delivered as part of the Learning Programme from August 2027.

Delivery

• Deliver a half-day training session for the engineers involved in the project.
• Lead three 60-minute co-development sessions with each of the four participating schools. Sessions will involve testing ideas, exploring and shaping themes, and prototyping activities. Students will actively influence the content and format of the workshops, working alongside engineers to ensure technical accuracy and authenticity.
• Lead and/or observe the four pilot workshops, gathering feedback and making any necessary adjustments to the content, activities and delivery approach.

Timeline and Budget:

Project Duration: September 2026 – June 2027

Proposed Timeline: Equivalent of one day a week over twenty weeks

Budget: 20 days at £250 per day

Person Specification

The Project Officer will have a strong background in science communication and engagement with both adults and young people.

Essential

• Experience delivering educational, heritage, museum or STEM engagement projects.
• Experience working with schools and young people.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience collecting and reporting project data.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• Experience within museums, heritage or informal learning environments.
• Knowledge of STEM education and engineering engagement.
• Experience developing educational resources.
• Understanding of safeguarding requirements.
• Knowledge of maritime heritage or environmental sustainability themes.

How to apply

Please submit a CV and cover letter, including two examples of similar projects you have worked on, along with details of two referees.

Applications should be submitted to Lauren Henning (lauren.henning@thetallship.com) by 5pm on Friday 25 September.

Questions about the opportunity should be submitted by Monday 21 September.

The Tall Ship Glenlee’s much-loved figurehead has been craned back into position following conservation work, marking another milestone in the historic Clyde-built ship’s £1.8 million restoration project 

One of Glasgow’s most recognisable maritime figures has returned to her place overlooking the River Clyde, as The Tall Ship Glenlee’s figurehead, affectionately known as “Mary Doll”, was craned back into position earlier this week following an extensive programme of conservation work. 

The striking operation saw the restored wooden figurehead carefully lifted and reinstated beneath Glenlee’s bowsprit, returning a familiar face to the bow of the 130-year-old Clyde-built sailing ship. 

Her return comes as major work continues on Glenlee’s masts and rigging, being undertaken by specialist contractor TS Rigging as part of a £1.8 million project supported by the National Heritage Memorial Fund to safeguard the historic vessel for future generations.

Mary Doll’s conservation was led and carried out in Glenlee’s own workshop by crew member Andrew Kelsey, with support from the wider crew and the museum manager. This is the first time the figurehead has been removed from the vessel since she was installed as part of Glenlee’s restoration in 1999. 

Carved from laminated cedar by Scottish sculptor Marvin Elliott, the figurehead has spent more than a quarter of a century exposed to the Clyde’s wind, rain, frost and sunshine. 

The availability of a crane during the current mast and rigging works created a rare opportunity to carefully remove her from the ship and undertake a more extensive programme of conservation than would normally be possible. 

Once ashore, years of accumulated dirt and biological growth were carefully removed, including a rather unflattering green “beard” which had developed beneath her chin. 

Despite more than 25 years facing the Scottish weather, the timber was found to be in remarkably good condition. Minor areas of delamination were stabilised and repaired, while the figurehead was carefully documented to create a detailed conservation record for the future. 

Old paint layers were removed before new primer and undercoat were applied, followed by fresh enamel paint matched as closely as possible to her original appearance. 

Fiona Greer, Development Director at The Tall Ship Glenlee, said: 

“Having the opportunity to watch Mary Doll being lifted back into position at the bow is a wonderful moment for everyone involved with Glenlee and another very visible milestone in this hugely important programme of work. 

“For more than 25 years she has welcomed visitors to the ship and watched over the Clyde, so Glenlee simply hasn’t looked quite herself while Mary has been away in the workshop. 

“There is something particularly special about the fact that this conservation has been carried out here at Glenlee by Andrew, one of our own crew. The care being given to Mary Doll, alongside the major work to our masts and rigging, is all part of ensuring that this significant Clyde-built ship survives to inspire generations to come.” 

A figurehead with a Glasgow character – and a remarkable predecessor 

Mary Doll takes her affectionate nickname from the character played by Elaine C. Smith in the iconic Glasgow-set comedy Rab C. Nesbitt, but the carving has also become part of a much older maritime tradition. 

For centuries, figureheads were regarded by sailors as the spirit of a vessel, watching over the ship and those who sailed aboard her. 

Glenlee’s figurehead story is particularly unusual because the vessel effectively has two. 

When Glenlee was launched at Port Glasgow in 1896, her original figurehead was carved by local sculptor John Roberts for just £4 – around £300 in today’s money. 

That carving travelled the world with the vessel through an extraordinary working life which saw the ship sail under four different names — Glenlee, Islamount, Clarastella and finally Galatea — and under British, Italian and Spanish ownership. 

When Glenlee finally returned home to the Clyde in 1993, however, her original figurehead did not come with her. 

Following the vessel’s decommissioning after decades as the Spanish naval training ship Galatea, the figurehead had been removed and placed on display at the naval arsenal at La Graña, near Ferrol in Spain, where it remains today. 

According to the history of Glenlee’s rescue and restoration, when the possibility of returning the carving to Scotland was raised with the Commandant of the Ferrol Naval School, his memorable response was: “Certainly — as soon as you give us back Gibraltar.” 

With the figurehead remaining in Spain, Marvin Elliott was commissioned to create the carving which now stands at Glenlee’s bow. 

Recent historical research undertaken by Lauren Henning, Learning and Museum Manager at The Tall Ship Glenlee, has also uncovered compelling evidence that the carving preserved in Spain may indeed be the very same figurehead which looked out across the Clyde when Glenlee was first launched 130 years ago. 

Historic photographs from the ship’s years as Islamount, Clarastella and Galatea show a remarkably consistent female figure at the bow. 

Even more compelling is an account written in 1918 by apprentice sailor Ernest “Andy” Andersen, who recorded being sent beneath the jib boom to clean the figurehead. His detailed description, including her abundant hair, handkerchief held against her chest, flowing dress, necklaces and rings, closely corresponds with features still visible on the carving preserved in Spain. 

Lauren Henning, Learning and Museum Manager at The Tall Ship Glenlee, said: 

“Mary Doll may have been created as part of Glenlee’s restoration, but after more than 25 years at the bow she has acquired an important history of her own. She is now part of the story of the ship and deserves the same thoughtful conservation and care that we give to the historic vessel itself. 

“What makes Glenlee’s figurehead story especially fascinating is that our recent research has strengthened the case that the figurehead preserved in Ferrol could be the original carving made for Glenlee in Port Glasgow in 1896. 

“That means we potentially have two noteworthy chapters of the same story: the original figurehead in Spain, which may have watched over this vessel for almost a century and through four different identities, and Mary Doll here in Glasgow, who has become the face of the restored Glenlee. 

“It feels very fitting to see Mary return to her place today, ready to watch over the ship and the Clyde once again.” 

Restoring a survivor of the Clyde 

Built in Port Glasgow in 1896, Glenlee is one of the few remaining Clyde-built sailing ships still afloat anywhere in the world. 

Her current £1.8 million programme of works represents a major investment in the future of the historic vessel, with specialist work on the ship’s masts and rigging being undertaken by TS Rigging. 

The project has created dramatic scenes on the Clyde this year, with cranes manoeuvring Glenlee’s enormous masts and yards, some weighing several tonnes, as specialist teams work to preserve the ship and her traditional rig. 

The reinstatement of Mary Doll represents another important step in that programme and restores one of the ship’s most distinctive features. 

After a summer in the workshop, freshly conserved, documented and repainted, Mary Doll is once again looking out from Glenlee’s bow – continuing a maritime tradition stretching back centuries and welcoming visitors aboard one of Glasgow and Scotland’s most remarkable survivors of the age of sail. 

UNIVERSALLY known in Glasgow as The Tall Ship Glenlee, its distinctive masts are a familiar and much-loved sight, reminding people of the time when the River Clyde was bustling with traffic on its water.

Now, this week, for the first time in 30 years, the floating museum’s famous masts are being removed for essential conservation work.

Two of her three masts will travel south of the border, bound for a specialist workshop in Maldon, Essex.  

The vessel sits alongside the Riverside Museum and is owned by The Tall Ship Glenlee Trust, an independent charity.

The team at TS Rigging, which has years of experience working with historic vessels throughout the UK, such as RRS Discovery, HMS Gannet and the Cutty Sark, will carry out detailed analysis of the strength and condition of the metal. Any necessary repairs will be carried out in the coming months. 

Glenlee is set to have an entire new set of running rigging and the standard rigging is to be serviced. These traditional skills are very rare and have even been added to the Heritage Crafts endangered list. 

Once complete, the masts will be returned to Glasgow and reinstalled on Glenlee in the summer.

The first phase of The Tall Ship Glenlee’s refurbishment focused on the internal hull and steel work and was completed in spring last year. 

The second phase, also funded by a £1.8m grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, marks the first major overhaul of the ship’s rigging in three decades. 

It represents a big change, albeit temporary, for the ship and its important place on Glasgow’s map.

Glenlee was built 130 years ago further down the River Clyde, in the town of Port Glasgow. The steel-hulled ship, designed to carry cargo across the world, was built by Anderson Rodger in the Bay Yard. 

In 1896, The Tall Ship Glenlee was originally fitted with three masts made mainly of steel, with wooden sections at the top to reduce overall weight. For the first 20 years of her working life, these masts were her only means of propulsion, driving her across the world’s oceans, using wind power alone. 

During this time, the rig endured severe weather and heavy seas, with some voyages causing significant damage that required repair at sea or in port.

She served as a British cargo sailing ship for over 20 years. From 1922 until 1979, by then named Galatea, the vessel was used by the Spanish Navy for training. During this time, the original wooden sections were removed and replaced with an entirely new steel rig.

By the 1990s she was in a sad state of disrepair before being rescued by the Clyde Maritime Trust, now the Tall Ship Glenlee Trust, in 1993. It was at this point she returned to the River Clyde.

By 1999, The Tall Ship Glenlee had been restored to her former glory by American expert sail rigger, Jamie White. The vessel has since become a popular museum, visitor attraction and events venue.

Her current berth is behind Glasgow’s famous Riverside Museum.

Chris Wood, a rigger with TS Rigging, the company working on Glenlee’s conservation said:

“Vessels such as Glenlee were once commonplace, but have now become a rarity largely consigned to history. To work on an original Victorian tall ship that has been saved for the nation is a privilege.

“The skills required to maintain these types of heritage vessels are as rare as the ships themselves. This unusual project gives a much needed opportunity to keep these skills alive both for old hands and new trainees, having recently been added to the endangered crafts list.”

John Monasta, Associate Director of Beckett Rankine, the maritime civil engineering consultancy project managing The Tall Ship Glenlee’s refurbishment, said: 

“Rigging refurbishment is a normal part of a tall ship’s lifecycle, and after roughly 30 years, the Glenlee was due for it. We are pleased to have the experts at TS Rigging on board to carry out this next phase of work, as part of ensuring the ship’s long-term preservation. 

“Beckett Rankine is committed to preserving maritime heritage for future generations, and this is an important step in Glenlee’s future.”

Fiona Greer, Development Director of The Tall Ship Glenlee, said:

“We are so pleased that this next stage of looking after our Tall Ship Glenlee is happening. Maintaining an historic vessel is an expensive but essential business: we want to ensure that Glenlee remains in best possible condition.

“Being able to upgrade her rigging with the funding received from National Heritage Memorial Fund is something we have been planning for a long time.

“People have asked us about watching the process as it happens as it’s not something one sees every day. We are recommending that people watch from Govan side or at the Govan-Partick Bridge footbridge. We don’t recommend being close to the ship because of the proximity of cranes.

“I’d also like to reassure all visitors who are booked in for events or thinking of visiting or booking The Tall Ship Glenlee we will be open between the periods during which the conservation work is happening.”

The Tall Ship Glenlee is thrilled to announce that it has been recognised as the winner of a prestigious tourism award.

The Scottish Thistle Awards, with headline sponsors Abbey: The Destination Experts, celebrate the very best of the tourism and events industry in Scotland. They have become an annual celebration of excellence, collaboration and innovation within one of the country’s most important sectors. The Tall Ship Glenlee was named as Best Visitor Attraction at the West of Scotland Thistle Awards on Thursday 25 September at a ceremony at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow.

This category recognises the variety of opportunities provided to Scotland’s visitors, and the attractions which provide world-class service with authentic, memorable experiences.

Lauren Macrae, Visitor Experience Manager at The Tall Ship Glenlee, said:
“We are incredibly honoured to win the Scottish Thistle Award for Best Visitor Attraction in the West of Scotland. This recognition is a testament to our entire team and the community that supports The Tall Ship Glenlee. We are proud to celebrate Scotland’s maritime heritage and will continue creating unforgettable experiences for all who step aboard.”

The Tall Ship Glenlee is one of Glasgow’s most treasured heritage icons. Built in 1896, Glenlee is now a rare example of a Clyde-built sailing ship and one of only five of its kind still afloat in the world. Now preserved as a visitor attraction, museum, learning centre, and community hub, the ship welcomes over 100,000 visitors each year.

Fiona Greer, Development Director at The Tall Ship Glenlee, said:
“We are delighted to receive this recognition, which reflects the hard work of our team and the continued support of our partners, funders and the wider tourism sector. The Tall Ship Glenlee is an important part of Scotland’s heritage, and this award strengthens our commitment to ensuring the ship remains a leading visitor attraction and a valued contributor to the region’s rich cultural and tourism landscape.”

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Rodney and Liz Jones to the Tall Ship Glenlee. Rodney is the grandson of Charles Sleggs, who served as Chief Officer of the Islamount between 1918 and 1919, before the ship passed into Italian ownership.

Rodney brought a wonderful gift with him: a beautifully framed photograph of his grandfather alongside his wife and eight daughters. He presented it to our Vice Chair, Elizabeth Allen, who gratefully accepted it on behalf of the Trust.

Over tea in the café, Liz shared her research into Charles Sleggs’ remarkable career. She told the story of 1918, when he stepped up to command the Islamount after the captain and much of the crew fell ill with “Java fever” shortly after leaving Indonesia.

Afterwards, we took Rodney and Liz on a tour of the Glenlee. Liz shared stories of life at sea in Sleggs’ time, bringing to life the challenges and experiences his generation of sailors faced.

We ended the morning feeling inspired, grateful, and glad to welcome Rodney and Liz as part of the Glenlee family.