Applications for the Ian Coulson Annual Bursary
It is our absolute pleasure to announce that applications are now open for the Ian Coulson Annual Bursary 2025.
There has been a slight delay as we wanted to spend some important time updating our documents and making sure that all the relevant reference materials and guidance were up-to-date. We are proud and excited to offer the bursary on behalf of the late Ian Coulson, who did so much for both the society and for education in Kent.
Applications for the Ian Coulson Annual Bursary
The Ian Coulson Annual Bursary for Local History/Archaeology in Kent Schools has been established by the Kent Archaeological Society in memory of Ian Coulson. Ian was Adviser for History in Kent schools for over 25 years and, at the time of his premature death in 2015, was President of the Kent Archaeological Society. Teachers in Kent schools are invited to apply for the bursary to develop classroom resources based on Kent’s local history and/or archaeology, two of Ian’s great passions. It is open to teachers in both primary and secondary schools.
One bursary, worth up to £1,000, will be available each academic year for which any Kent school can apply.
Aim of the bursary
To support the teaching and learning of archaeology and local history in Kent and Medway schools.
How to apply
Teachers are invited to apply for the bursary, by submitting a short application form, by the end of July preceding the academic year to which the bursary will apply. Applications are now open and should be sent to craig.campbell@kentarchaeology.org.uk
Members co-opted from a KAS Committee will check the applications and choose one which best fits the above aims. Schools will be informed of their decision before the end of the summer term. The bursary, and the project which it is intended to support, will then run for the whole of the next academic year (September to July).
Expectations and outcomes
Teachers in the successful school will have one year to research their chosen topic and produce related classroom materials. For the duration of the project they will have access to an adviser appointed at KAS. They will be expected to produce:
local history/archaeology resources for children to use over a sustained period of time (i.e. several hours’ work in the classroom)
teacher support materials; for example a scheme of work, detailed explanatory notes and advice, additional resources and a bibliography
all resources must be in digital format (acceptable formats include Word, pdf, jpeg, mp3 and mp4 files)
The materials will then be made available to other schools via the internet, in the first instance on the Kent Archaeological Society, Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Trust for Thanet Archaeology websites.
Expenses
When the project is completed, teachers should submit an expenses claim to be paid from the bursary. It must be supported with relevant documentation (e.g. invoices and receipts). It will be checked by the KAS Committee and forwarded to the KAS Finance Department for payment. Acceptable expenses include:
the costs of supply cover
the purchase of equipment, software and/or subscriptions essential to the project
photocopying expenses
travel expenses (for example to an archive office or museum)
Key dates
10 May – 30 July - Applications accepted
Early August - Applications considered by the KAS Learning and Engagement Committee
By 22 August - Applicants informed of the KAS Learning and Engagement Committee's decision
1 September (beginning of Term 1) - Work on the project begins in successful applicant’s school
September – June - Regular contact between the applicant and KAS Committee adviser
By 20 July (before the end of Term 6) - Completion of project. Submission of all materials and claim form
All communications concerning the Bursary should be sent to craig.campbell@kentarchaeology.org.uk
Download the Information pack items here which contains:
The Ian Coulson Annual Bursary for Local History/Archaeology in Kent Schools
This annual bursary was established in 2017 by the Education Committee of Kent Archaeological Society in memory of Ian Coulson.
The bursary aims to support the teaching and learning of archaeology and local history, two of Ian’s great passions, in Kent and Medway schools. One bursary, worth up to £1,000, for which any Kent or Medway school (primary or secondary) may apply, will be available each academic year.
Please help us to publicise the bursary by telling any teachers you know about it. We do not doubt that Ian would heartily approve of the innovative work in Kent schools which the bursary is supporting.
