The Livery Companies of the City of London started as Craft Guilds originally for social and religious interchange, but increasingly for the protection and improvement of their craft. The Guild of St George of the Armourers was formed in 1322 to preserve the monopoly in the making of armour and to maintain its quality, by a rigorous apprenticeship system, inspection and hallmarking.

The Worshipful Company of Armourers & Brasiers supports materials science education

The Company seeks to carry forward its ancient traditions of metalworking and technological education by concentrating its charitable support in the fields of metallurgy and materials science. A particular aim is to encourage young people to study materials science and to work in that field after graduating, to the benefit of British industry. The Company offers various forms of support at school, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

School level

Encouraging basic science

• Science projects, especially on materials, in 12 primary schools around the City of London
• Update courses for physics teachers with the Institute of Physics

Introducing materials science

• Courses in materials for chemistry and physics teachers
• Industrial experience for teachers and pupils
• Summer schools for sixth-formers at university departments of materials
• Equipment grants for materials teaching at selected schools
• Publications on materials for school use
• Sixth-form scholarships to encourage entry to materials courses at a number of universities

Undergraduate level

• Sponsorships on materials courses
• Promoting excellence prizes
• Encouraging interest in industry by sponsoring industrial attachments, industrial study tours and technological workshops
• Grants for special needs and hardship

Postgraduate level

• Sponsorship of research students
• Prizes for excellence
• Grants for travel, special needs and hardship

Other initiatives

• Travel grants for management trainees
• Royal Society medal and award for excellence in materials science

For further information regarding any of the above initiatives please contact

Commander T J K Sloane
Armourers' & Brasiers' Company
Armourers' Hall
81 Coleman Street
London EC2R 5BJ

Tel: +44 (0)20 7374 4000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7606 7481

See also