This course provides an opportunity for schools with low student numbers to prepare, plan and collect data for their individual Non-Exam Assessment for A Level Geography.
Nettlecombe Court lies in a secluded valley at the eastern edge of Exmoor National Park. The house is a striking example of a Tudor and Georgian country mansion set within its own grounds, made up of heritage parkland, ancient woodland. Nettlecombe has excellent access to the Somerset coast as well as Exmoor National Park and The Quantocks National Landscape.
Small Group or Individual Student Days are designed to bring together individual students, home educated students, schools with small cohorts, or students who were unable to attend a residential or alternative trip. By bringing groups together you do not have to pay for a minimum number of students.
These courses are for groups of 9 or fewer students from any one school.
To ensure the safety of all participants on our day and residential small groups courses, any child, or group of children from an individual school or home-education group, aged under 18 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult, eg teacher or parent. Other adult learners eg mature students or those who have recently turned 18 are welcome to join the course.
The price of the course includes
- Accommodation in shared rooms (single rooms for adults where available but cannot be guaranteed
- Food from dinner on day 1 to packed lunch on day 5
- In-course transport to fieldwork sites during the course
- All course teaching
- Equipment, wellies and waterproofs if required
- Accompanying staff and adults are charged at half the student rate plus VAT
Example Timetable
Day 1
Morning
Arrive
Students will be greeted by their tutor, with a welcome talk followed by a brief tour of the centre. Allocation of wellies and waterproofs.
Afternoon
Hydrology
Students will apply their theoretical understanding of the hydrological cycle to practical fieldwork within the Nettlecombe Court catchment area, exploring the impact of land use on stores and flows of water.
Evening
Statistics workshop
Students will be introduced to both descriptive statistics and statistical tests, to understand when and how to use them.
Day 2
Morning
Coastal management
Students will visit Minehead to investigate how human activity has impacted the coastal system. They will evaluate the effectiveness of various coastal management strategies using a variety of fieldwork techniques.
Transport to Minehead required (25-minute drive)
Afternoon
Place geography – MineheadStudents will carry out experiential fieldwork to develop a deeper understanding of the sense of place within the coastal town of Minehead.
Transport to Minehead required (25-minute drive)
Evening
GIS workshop
Students will be introduced to GIS, shown how to utilise ArcGIS to present data and add secondary data.
Day 3
Morning
Coastal landscapes and processesStudents will apply their theoretical understanding of coastal systems to investigate how coastal processes shape the landscape at Porlock Bay.
Transport to Porlock Bay required (40-minute drive)
Afternoon and Evening
NEA data planningStudents will focus on forming enquiry questions and planning their independent investigations.
Day 4
Morning and Afternoon
NEA data collection
Choose an area of the specification, either physical or human, to focus for the Independent Investigation: (large groups booking may choose two or more areas for a visit to enable students a wider range of choice of areas of study. Tutors will discuss the options for NEA data collection sites when designing your program)
Possible areas of the specification to choose to do your fieldwork skills on:
Coastal systems and landscapes (Minehead or Porlock Bay)
Changing places (Minehead)
Field Data Collection
During this day students will work individually or within groups, as appropriate, to collect initial primary field data. They will be supported by Field Studies Council tutors to review data and methods of collection as well as provide guidance on health and safety, equipment and environmental issues. Students will have opportunity to:
Begin data collection, reflecting on and improving the methods used.
Observe and record phenomena and data variables according to their data design framework
Demonstrate their practical knowledge and skill in handing data collection technologies and equipment
Build their understanding of the concepts underlying and processes operating within the real world environment
Fieldwork site(s) will be dependent on students projects and staff availability: Porlock Bay (40 mins – transport required), Minehead (20 mins – transport required).
Evening
Campfire
Students will construct a campfire and roast marshmallows, having time to reflect upon the week’s achievements.
Day 5
Morning
Individual follow up
Students will have time to work independently, beginning to digitise, present and analyse their data, and write up methodologies. Tutor will support individual students throughout the session.
Depart centre after lunch
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
Picnic Lunch
Opportunities to attend this course
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Mon 08, February 2027 13:00 - Fri 12, February 2027 12:00
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Mon 08, November 2027 13:00 - Fri 12, November 2027 12:00
