Some advice on Models of Fieldwork Delivery...

[Natalie Hawker]

As a new HoD I have been in discussion with SLT about fieldwork opportunities. The head agrees that at the moment there is not enough LoTC and that Geography is well placed to contribute to this. He has agreed in principal to allow us to take all of Yr 7 and 8 and 9 out (not all at once!) BUT first he has asked me to research and present some different models of delivery. Not what we will do, but how we will get a whole year group out, and get away from offering smaller trips based on first come first served, and who has the ability to pay. We have 6 form entry, and teach mixed ability at KS3. I was wondering if anyone has looked into something similar, could anyone give me any advice?? Thanks!

[Eleanor Caddick]

We take all of our Year 7's to the local park. We take them over two days as we have 12 form entry. We have 6 different activities throughout the day and make it cross-curricular getting help from other subject teachers as well as PGCE trainees.
This has been going on for about 5 years now and has improved each year. We make sure it's held when Y11 have left to free up many teachers. The activities range from orienteering, field sketching, traffic counts,Haiku poetry to an ecological experience of the local plants.
We now have the issue of trying to get our Y8's a little further than a 10 minute walk away- probably the local bus!
Good luck, I hope this is useful.