International Liaisons
I thought I would write to show how CAT’s educational activities, supported by you, the KAS, are spreading the good word way beyond the county of Kent. Several CAT staff members have taken part in projects abroad and Paul Bennett, Director, will no doubt be going to Libya again this year.
I’ve experienced a lot of hands-across-the-water recently and, I like to think, am helping to project a positive image about archaeology and engaging people. Within the EU-funded Boat 1550 BC project, I’m currently working with partners in France and Belgium. This is a three-year project (now in its final six months) and one thing I’ve learned is that it takes time to build relations with people at such distances. I’m sure I would have benefitted from a ‘pre-project project’, just to find and get to know key people involved! We expect to see the new handling kits put together by the project in use in schools this Spring. In the long term, the kits for England will be housed with CAT and available for loan across the county. Another set will be held in Lille, France and a third set in Ename, Belgium.
On two occasions last year, I was especially pleased to be asked by Don Henson (former CBA Education Officer and currently a Freelance Consultant), to show colleagues from Japan and Estonia the resources we have developed over recent years. The CAT collection of teaching and learning loans are a key element of our Education Service which has been consistently supported by the KAS since its early days; in particular a grant from the Society allowed us to expand production of our CAT KITs which our visitors were particularly enthused by, immediately seeing their value for engaging adults and young people alike.
Last summer, we ran an archaeology workshop in Canterbury for a group of Japanese secondary school students (above). In the autumn, 240 Pas de Calais teachers came to Canterbury to see what was on offer to support their secondary school teaching programmes. The day was organised by Canterbury City Partnership in conjunction with Nord Pas de Calais Education Department and Canterbury-based heritage resource providers. CAT joined forces with Canterbury Museums Education Service and delivered a really enjoyable workshop designed to introduce students to our archaeological heritage and help them develop their spoken English. I’m pleased to say we have a few bookings already for this summer.
Just recently I had a call from Lancashire – not a foreign clime but certainly way beyond Kent. A new Rural Outdoor Education Centre has been launched near Preston and the founders were very interested in using some CAT resources for their ‘bring yer wellies’ days. I’m thrilled they asked us for our support and hope that you are too.
Finally, back to the beginning and the Libya connection. In December, a small delegation from the Libyan National Congress came to England investigating what we do in the UK to protect and promote our heritage. Paul Bennett arranged an extensive programme of visits and presentations from local regional and national bodies. As a contribution to this, Graham Birrell of Canterbury Christ Church University Faculty of Education and I gave a session about heritage and history in the classroom. As is widely known, Libya is experiencing great challenges at the moment and I’m sure the delegation went home having gained much that was positive from their visit to England.
By Marion Green, Canterbury Archaeological Trust Education Officer