Education Today Education Today Magazine
The National Archives has launched its new School Bursary Programme which will provide financial support for schools who would otherwise find it difficult to bring pupils to our site at Kew.
The bursary will cover travel costs and cover for teachers.
The bursary programme is an initiative by The National Archives Trust, an independent charity which exists to promote knowledge and enjoyment of the nation’s archives to the widest possible audience.
The fund, for state schools, will allow students who might normally experience financial barriers to participate in workshops using original historic documents.
To apply, schools will need to meet at least two out of three of the below criteria:
- Schools with a high percentage of students eligible for free school meals
- Schools based outside Richmond upon Thames Borough
- Schools who are first-time users of The National Archives’ education service.
The National Archives’ Education Team taught more than 19,000 school sessions on site and online during 2022-2023.
Lisamarie Harris, Year 4 Lead at Crane Park Primary School in Feltham, said: “The whole experience of coming to The National Archives is hugely beneficial for our pupils, it’s the best school trip we do every year. The real passion of the staff running the workshops filters through to the children. The benefit extends beyond the day of our visit.”
The National Archives is an important source of national curriculum resources, ranking third in audience use behind YouTube and BBC Bitesize with UK teachers.
The new Education Bursary Scheme is supported by The National Archives Trust, with contributions from Francesca Barnes, the Bisset Trust, Epsom College History Department, Dr P. Kay and Ms A. Jackson Kay, Simon Lough, the Maurice & Vivien Thompson Charitable Trust and Kit and Anthony van Tulleken.
