Significance is now a core concept within our planning process. Its assessment is a key part of management and of development within the historic environment. This course will introduce the process, show you what is involved in preparing assessments of significance, teach you how to read and judge such assessments, and explore the ways in which they can be used. At the end, you should be convinced about the value of significance as a planning and management tool!
Heritage Values and the Assessment of Significance
Overview
Programme details
TUESDAY 7 JULY 2026
8.30am Registration and coffee/tea
9.00am Introduction to the course
9.15am Thinking about heritage values, Henry Russell
Assessing values and significance under the National Planning Policy Framework, Henry Russell
11.30am Coffee/tea break
12.00pm Archaeology, heritage values, and significance – do built heritage and archaeology differ and, if so, why? Simon Cox
Heritage statements, desk-based archaeological assessments, and their content, Simon Cox
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Settings and view – with exercise in Wellington Square, Henry Russell
3.30pm Coffee/tea break
4.00pm Case study – Simon Cox and Henry Russell
5.30pm Introduction to Bletchley Park field trip
6.00pm End of Day 1
WEDNESDAY 8 JULY 2026
8.00am Breakfast (residents only)
9.00 Heritage values – the heritage consultant’s experience, Dr Nicola Pickering
10.30-10.45 Coffee
11.00 Field trip to Bletchley Park
4.30 Return to Oxford
THURSDAY 9 JULY 2026
8.00am Breakfast (residents only)
9.00am Group work on Bletchley to determine values
11.00 Coffee
11.30pm Structured discussion on issues arising from site visit
12.45pm Lunch
2.00pm Heritage harm in summary, Henry Russell
3.30pm Discussion of outstanding issues from course
4.00pm End of course
Digital Certification
Certificate
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate of attendance.
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Tuition (includes coffee/tea) | £685.00 |
| Lunch Day 1 - Hot | £21.25 |
| Lunch Day 3 - Hot | £21.25 |
| Packed Lunch Day 2 | £10.50 |
Payment
Payment of fees must be made in full at the time of booking.
Please note that businesses and organisations can be invoiced on provision of a Purchase Order and completed application form. These can be emailed to the CWHE Programme Administrator, email: cultural.heritage@conted.ox.ac.uk.
Tutors
Simon Cox
Nicola Pickering
Mr Henry Russell - Course Director
Lecturer in Conservation of the Historic Environment, Reading University. Henry Russell is a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Building’s casework committee, co-chair of the Heritage Alliance’s Spatial Planning Advocacy Group and a membership assessor for the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. He served on the Church of England’s Church Buildings Council and was Chair of Gloucester Diocesan Advisory Committee.
Application
Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact cultural.heritage@conted.ox.ac.uk to obtain an application form. Enrolments will close 3 weeks before course start date.
Selection criteria
Accommodation
Accommodation is available to book for this course at Rewley House. If you have any questions regarding the accommodation please get in touch with Continuing Education Residential Centre res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk.
All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms.