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VIRTUAL FIELDWORK FOR GCSE AND A LEVEL.
Early into the first lockdown in April 2020 we created a set of VIRTUAL FIELDWORK ACTIVITIES to help staff and students cope with the coronavirus closures.
Each activity uses real fieldwork data that our students have collected on one of our residential study courses in the UK, Andorra and Spain.
Please have a look at the eight activities below and get in touch if you would like to find out more.
Over the past 2 years we have been busy running a range of very well received VIRTUAL fieldwork courses for GCSE and A Level Geography, plus IBDP Geography and ESS. We have courses set up for coasts, rivers and urban environments plus fieldwork, presentation and analysis skills for the NEA.
We can deliver these virtual field courses from £80 per hour and they involve between 3 to 5 hours of tuition each.
Activity One - Studying attrition of limestone boulders on Swanage Beach, Dorset.
This activity is a great fieldwork investigation to teach sampling skills and how to apply the Chi-Squared Test for Association to categorical field data.
Activity one resources.
Activity one worked statistics answer.
Activity Two - Studying the effectiveness of offshore breakwaters on the Costa Brava, Spain.
This activity is based on the coastal management study that we run in the beautiful resort of Sant Antoni de Calonge, on the Costa Brava in NW Spain. Offshore breakwaters are an unusual type of coastal management in the UK and so students always find studying these structures an interesting exercise.
Activity two resources.
Activity two wave energy spreadsheet.
Activity two offshore breakwater sites CSV. file.
Activity Three - Studying patterns in the types of retail outlets along Poole High Street, Dorset.
This activity combines using Google Earth street view and GIS to undertake a study of how the types of shops vary along a declining high street.
Activity three resources.
Activity two New Economic Foundation Home Town : Clone Town survey.
Activity Four - Estimating the discharge of an episodic stream in the Tabernas Desert in Spain.
This activity visits a dry valley in the beautiful Tabernas Desert in Spain. The discharge of a river is estimated using visual evidence of past water levels and the measurement of bedload in the channel.
Activity four resources
Activity four further reading on Flash Floods in Wadis in the Oman desert.
Activity Five - Studying urban inequalities in Poole, Dorset.
This activity uses a wide selection of secondary data sources, plus a virtual field trip with Google Earth Streetview, to study three extremely different parts of Poole.
Activity five resources
Activity Six - Studying carbon capture in soils, Swanage, Dorset.
This is a challenging activity that looks at the under-appreciated role of soil organic matter in CO2 sequestration. The fieldwork is easily adapted to many different locations and the further research links will certainly get you thinking about climate change mitigation in a new way.
Activity six resources
Activity six soil carbon study spreadsheet
Activity Seven - studying the impact of the ski industry on the fragile ecology of alpine meadows in Andorra
This activity is based on a field study day that we teach in the Andorran Pyrenees. We compare a traditionally managed alpine meadow with a ski run in terms of the diversity of the flora and the infiltration capacity of the soils. It is a good way to start investigating the impact that the ski industry has on the fragile ecology of glaciated landscapes.
Activity seven resources
Activity Eight - studying features of glacial erosion and deposition in the North West Highlands of Scotland.
This activity takes you on a wonderful journey through some of the most stunning scenery in the UK to look for evidence, at a variety of scales, showing the direction of ice movement during the last glacial maximum. There is a great activity using ARCGIS and also some analysis of glacial sediments using visual observations and a simple key.
This is one of our all time favourite field study locations!
Activity eight resources
Activity eight CSV file
Join us on our inspirational fieldwork CPD training course in the
Spanish sunshine - next dates TBC
2019 price from £269 per person (excluding flights)
Update and enhance your fieldwork skills and subject knowledge whilst exploring the stunning coastline, rivers cities and villages of the Costa Brava.
This is a great opportunity for student teachers, NQTs and experienced teachers alike to participate in a wide range of innovative and challenging fieldwork activities suitable for GCSE, iGCSE, A Level and IBDP.
The programme consists of 2.5 days of fieldwork:
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coastal fieldwork studying processes, landforms and management,
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rivers / water cycle fieldwork
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tectonic hazards
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rural settlements / regenerating places fieldwork
Price includes
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3 nights half-board accommodation in a 3 star hotel in Platja d'Aro, near Girona.
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2.5 days of fieldwork tuition, resources, equipment and transport to the sites.
Price does NOT include
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return flights from the UK to Girona / Barcelona
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transfers from airport to hotel and return
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lunches and any other refreshments / drinks etc
This course is a fantastic opportunity to network with other teachers, update and learn new skills and catch a bit of an autumnal suntan before the UK winter sets in.
Please contact us for more details.
Full programme and booking details to follow very soon.
This course is run in conjunction with SunSports Tours and Tournaments who are based on the Costa Brava and have many years experience hosting UK schools in Spain.
Reviews
"Thanks once again for the past three days - the sessions were crystal clear and the links to statistics and data presentation from the outset so useful for the students". Yorkshire secondary school, NEA fieldwork and data collection course May 2023
"Thank you so much for the fieldwork. The kids really had the time of their lives. It really was wonderful and they got to do good quality fieldwork as well". London Secondary School, GCSE Geography day visit, Dorset March 2023
"We had a great week and thanks again for your unending enthusiasm and humour alongside some great geological knowledge". Buckinghamshire Grammar School, A Level Geology course, Dorset March 2023
"Thank you so much for the best field trip I have ever been on. All of my students learned so much (as did I) and are far better prepared to complete their NEA now". Gloucestershire secondary school, NEA field skills course in Dorset, February 2023
"Thank you for all of your help this week – the students and I have had a fantastic time and they have taken a huge amount from it." Northamptonshire secondary school, NEA field skills course in school and on the Norfolk coast November 2022.
"Thank you so much for the past week. The staff and students had a fantastic time and have been singing your praise" Kent secondary school NEA field skills and data collection course, Costa Brava November 2022.
"Many thanks for your sessions on Saturday. They were pitched very well and addressed the desired areas. It was good to meet you and thank you for facilitating the sessions on a weekend!" Hampshire secondary School GCSE Geography day visit to Swanage October 2022
"Absolute pleasure working with you as always. Thanks for all your help in giving the boys a high quality geography education. I look forward to another adventure soon." GCSE Geography enrichment course Dorset July 2022.
"Thanks for a truly fantastic trip, the student feedback has been extremely positive, the way you connected with them was wonderful and your knowledge and passion for your work so clearly evident". London International School IBDP Geography course in Andorra June 2022
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for a great trip, my year 12’s enjoyed it far more than they thought they would! I thought it was spot on and will help them greatly with their own NEA data collection and write up" Berkshire secondary school NEA field skills and data collection residential course in Swanage March 2022
"I have been meaning to message since the A-level results in August to let you know how well the group did- our best results ever! Many of them scored really highly in the NEA which really helped. So thank you for your input" Berkshire Secondary School February 2022
"The time last week was invaluable for both students and staff, I will most certainly be back in touch re our current year 12's and beyond" NEA field skills course based in a sixth form college in Bedfordshire / November 2021
"...and thanks again for a great 4 days, the students were really positive about the whole experience, despite the rain!" Oxfordshire secondary school NEA skills residential in Dorset / October 2021
"Thank you so much for all your help over the 3 days, I was delighted at how the course was structured and what we covered" South London School - NEA field skills course based in school / September 2021
"Thanks so much for putting on the session - the students found it so helpful and can now proceed confidently with their work . Will definitely be in touch and will definitely use you again - thanks again"
South London Secondary School - online NEA virtual fieldwork session / January 2021
"Thank you very much for your excellent course, the students enjoyed it thoroughly and it was immensely valuable to them and myself to set them up and get them going. Your expertise in fieldwork and investigation really shone through in everything you did and the students felt very confident in speaking to you."
North London Secondary School - NEA field skills course based in school / December 2020
"Hi Barry, it was a real pleasure working with you. You really inspired the students with your interest and knowledge, Both they and I learnt so much."
West London Secondary School - NEA field skills course based in school / October 2020.
"It was a pleasure working with you again. I think it was an excellent few days and the students are as well prepared for their NEA as they have ever been. I’m so pleased!"
South London School - NEA field skills course based in school / September 2020
"Really excellent course which helped cement the carbon and water cycle concepts in the field"
Surrey private secondary school / February 2019
"Thank you Barry - both the teachers and girls absolutely loved spending the day with you. Your knowledge is exceptional and the level with which you addressed the girls was age appropriate. They have remembered the hike to Old Harry with fondness. You have also given us much to work with in terms of our Geography (and History) curriculum moving forward"
London preparatory school / May 2019
"Perfectly pitched to our group, engaging and knowledgeable, thank you Barry!"
International school from Germany studying IBDP Geography and ESS / May 2019
"NEA in new A Level is so much easier to get through with your help - not just in the field but in terms of your excellent geographical knowledge, statistical wizardry and basically being able to benefit from the wealth of experience that you have in Geographical coursework! You are so flexible and patient too- I wouldn't want to go anywhere else now!"
Midlands private secondary school / June 2019
Our customers include:
The British School of Paris, Hydesville Towers School, Dunottar School, Whitgift School, Hereford Sixth Form College, Endaze International School, Swanlea School, Heathfield School, Stowe School, International Friedensschule Koln, St Crispin's School, Queenswood School, Arnold Lodge School, Kesgrave School, Longsands Academy, Glenthorne School, Sir William Borlase Grammar School, Solihull Sixth Form College, Dover College, Halliford School, Sherborne School, Rushmoor School, John Masefield High School, Harrow House International College, Leweston School, Archbishop Tenison's School Academy, Villiers High School, Kings College Madrid, Harrogate Ladies College, Buxton Community School, Wellington School Altrincham, Salesian School Surrey, Holyport College, Edgbaston High School for Girls, Sibford School, Alexandra Park School, Q3Tipton Academy, International School of Nice, Bishop Douglass School,
Thomas Bennet Community College, Hampstead School, The British School Al Khubairat, Emmanuel School, Devizes School, GEMS EDU Wellington International School, The British School of The Netherlands, Beauchamp City Sixth Form, The Beauchamp College, Notre Dame High School, Dr Challoner's High School, Worcester Sixth Form College, Kingsmeadow School, Highgate Wood School, Downe House School, Lloyd Williamson School, Wimbledon High School, Laude Lady Elizabeth School, Uppingham School, Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic School Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form, St Cecilia's C of E School, Guilsborough Academy, Holy Trinity Primary School Berkshire, Daneshill School, Wootton Academies Trust, Fittleworth Primary School Sussex, St Mary's C of E Primary School Radstock, The Weald Community School, Virginia Primary School, Michael Hall School, Droitwich Spa High School, Brighton College Al Ain, Leyton Sixth Form College, Therfield School, Cumulus Outdoors Swanage, Oaks Park High School, Darrick Wood School, Pipers Corner School, Cokethorpe School,
St Bernard's School, Sandy Secondary School, Andover College, Cobham Free School, Luckley House School, Westfield Academy,
Ark Bolingbroke Academy, International British School of Bucharest, Heston Community School, Lycee Francais Charles De Gaulle,
Dartford Science and Technology College, Southbank International School, Range High School,
Benenden School, Holyrood Academy, Wembley High Technology College, GeoEtc Tours, Whitmore School, Portchester Community School, Brockenhurst College, Kings School Brighton, Saffron Walden County High School, Evelyn Grace Academy, Homewood School, Ribston Hall High School, Waldegrave High School, Ampleforth College, Munich International School, Sherrardswood School, Bobby Moore Academy, Netherhall School, King Edward VI College Stourbridge, North Bromsgrove High School, Sutton Grammar School.