East Wear Bay Field School
Learn fieldwork skills while helping to preserve an internationally significant archaeological site threatened by coastal erosion.
2026 East Wear Bay Field School
We are not currently taking any bookings for the 2026 field school. We will open early registration for the course in December 2025 so watch this space.
Archaeology Field School
For university students and adult learners
This intensive two-week field school provides comprehensive training in excavation techniques, recording, finds processing, and other field working skills. Students will work towards the completion of a portfolio to show evidence of learning and BAJR skills passport. Suitable for university students and adult learners.
Pricing and Accommodation
Field School training activities will include: Site introduction; site induction including health and safety; archaeological excavation and the use of tools; finds processing; the written site record; archaeological site drawing; site surveys, site photography, and Historic Building Recording.
Subject to weather conditions and availability, we will also be running sessions on environmental processing and analysis, and geophysics.
With Accommodation
A two-week Field School placement includes all training and necessary equipment, plus accommodation in Folkestone.
Without Accommodation
We are happy to make suitable recommendations to those wishing to find their own private accommodation in the Canterbury or Folkestone areas.
No prior experience is required. CAT provides accredited professional training. Individual progress is logged using the BAJR skills passport, a document recognised by professional and academic institutions in the UK.
Course Tutors
Learn from experienced professionals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge
Dr Lindsay Banfield, PhD AFHEA
CAT Head of Engagement and Marketing
Lindsay is a specialist in worked stone artefacts and Roman period small finds. She has taught students at field schools for UCL, the Culver Project and for CAT for over 8 years.
Andy Macintosh ACIfA PGCE
CAT Education and Project Officer
Andy is an experienced field archaeologist who has been involved with the East Wear Bay project since 2011. He is also a qualified teacher who has directed fieldwork on commercial and community excavations.
Frances Morgan MA
CAT Engagement Assistant
Frances is an experienced field archaeologist with a passion for post-medieval archaeology and human osteology.
Heather Hanson BA
CAT Engagement Assistant
Heather is interested in the late Iron Age and Early Roman periods in Britain. She is passionate about fostering people's interest in the past for all time periods.
Dr Steve Willis PhD MCIfA
University of Kent
Steve teaches archaeology and fieldwork modules at the University of Kent. He has significant excavation experience from digs and surveys for training and research at Iron Age and Roman sites in Britain and abroad.
Illia Shabalkin
Student Support Staff, University College London
Illia is an undergraduate student with UCL and has been volunteering at East Wear Bay for two years. He has a passion for archaeology, with a particular interest in worked flint.
Adelina Teoaca MSc MA PCIfA
CAT Finds and Archives Manager
Adelina is a specialist in bioarchaeology, an advocate for science in archaeology and an experienced post-excavation manager.
Rich Best MA
CAT Registered Finds Specialist
Rich oversees the assessment and analysis of registered finds and has experience in running and supervising field schools. He is a specialist on Anglo-Saxon brooches.
Martha Carter BA
CAT Trainee Pottery Specialist
Martha is learning to be a pottery specialist and can assess and analyse the different pottery fabrics and types of vessels that are uncovered during our excavations. She is particularly interested in Roman and Iron Age pottery.
Dr Enid Allison PhD MCIfA
Environmental Manager and Specialist
Enid oversees environmental sampling, processing and post-excavation work for CAT and carries out analysis of insect remains from sites throughout Britain and Ireland.
What You'll Learn
The aim of the field school is to provide training and coaching for anyone who has an interest in potentially pursuing a career in archaeology or heritage, or for those who want to formally develop their archaeological field-working skills. The field school forms part of an optional practical skills module for archaeology students at the University of Kent and is offered to those who wish to participate from other Higher Education institutes. Amateur archaeologists with some prior knowledge of fieldwork are also invited to participate.
The field school will be delivered through formal teaching sessions and informal practical learning. The formal sessions will be timetabled, with the schedule to be confirmed prior to your arrival in Folkestone. All sessions will be delivered by qualified and experienced heritage professionals. Some will be CAT staff members, including those currently working in commercial archaeology in the UK. Other sessions will be delivered by teaching staff from the University of Kent or by external tutors who have more specific specialist knowledge to share with you. The practical learning will be delivered through hands-on experience of excavation and recording while on site at East Wear Bay.
Site induction
Get an overview of the history and archaeology of the site and its importance.
Health and safety on site
Learn how to work safely on an archaeological site, what the procedures are in the event of an emergency and how to safely use the excavation equipment.
The written record
Find out how to complete all the paperwork that we use when recording an archaeological feature.
Section drawing
Gain experience in producing scale section drawings of archaeological features.
Plan drawing
Draw a plan while learning the correct conventions used in the archaeological profession.
Surveying
Gain practical skills on how to create site plans using a Total station or GPS.
Geophysical survey
Carry out a geophysical survey to explore the below ground archaeology near the East Wear Bay site.
Historic Building Recording
Gain an introduction to Historic Building Recording and discover ways that this is used to conserve monuments and structures.
Finds processing and preparation
Learn how finds recovered from the site are processed and prepared for assessment.
Environmental processing
After taking environmental samples on site, find out how they are processed and what we can learn from them.
Site photography
Get experience of site photography, the use of scales and how to create the best site photos for reports and publication.
Why Join Our Field School
Hands-on Learning
Gain practical field experience under the guidance of professional archaeologists with varying levels of experience accommodated.
Skills Passport
Start collating experience for your BAJR skills passport by creating a portfolio of evidence.
Save Heritage at Risk
Contribute to the preservation of important archaeological data from a site threatened by coastal erosion.
Professional Networking
Connect with archaeologists, specialists, and fellow students to build valuable professional relationships.
Participant Testimonials
University of Kent student
"I found the experience very interesting and believed it greatly enhanced my understanding of field archaeology. Additionally, the members of CAT on site were extremely helpful in broadening my understanding of how to correctly excavate and document an archaeological site."
University of Kent student
"Not only have I had incredible experiences excavating a Roman Villa, Iron Age Roundhouse, and investigating a possible barrow, but have done so alongside a wonderful and instructive team from CAT."
Dr Steve Willis
University of Kent
"Over the past two seasons (2023 and 2024) CAT through the EWB Project have kindly undertaken to offer training and experience places and other opportunities to some of our students (these students coming from various backgrounds, and representing various types of learners). This has been an invaluable learning experience for our undergraduates that enables them to engage with the range of archaeological remains the site offers and develop skills in recording the evidence to a professional level. The students find the training accessible and carefully explained, with hands-on opportunities, with a range of equipment at this exciting site, rich in artefactual remains. These placements provided by the EWB Project staffed by CAT personnel would be very hard to match and so at the University we have been very pleased that CAT and the EWB Project has enabled these experiences. CAT staff have been generous with their time on site and subsequently, with support and further 'post-ex' opportunities provided through our subsequent University teaching term. The quality of the experience in my view is very high and greatly appreciated by our students. Only one or two of our students had any previous archaeological fieldwork experience and we can see from the quality of the academic work in their follow up Portfolios that they learned a great deal. Several are now minded to pursue archaeology as a career."
What to See & Do in Folkestone
Make the most of your time off-site exploring this vibrant coastal town
Creative Quarter & Harbour
Explore Folkestone's transformation from traditional port to cultural hub. The Creative Quarter features artist studios, independent shops, and the famous Harbour Arm with its lighthouse bar.
- • Folkestone Artworks outdoor exhibition
- • Independent galleries and studios
- • Harbour Arm sunset drinks
- • Local food markets
- • Live music and events
Victorian Heritage & Nature
Discover Folkestone's Victorian elegance along the famous Leas promenade, with its ornamental gardens, cliff railway, and stunning views across the English Channel to France.
- • The Leas cliff-top promenade
- • Historic Leas Lift funicular railway
- • Coastal walks and beach access
- • Folkestone Museum
- • Kent Downs nearby
Ready to Join Us at East Wear Bay?
Applications for our 2026 field school will open in December 2025. Check back then to secure your place.