A Level NEA Covering Place and Coasts at Nettlecombe Court (Small Group Course)

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

The nature and importance of places
Creswell (2008) defined place within geography as a ‘meaningful segment of geographical space’. Exploring the town of Minehead, students will be introduced to the concept of place and its importance within geography through experiential fieldwork.

Fieldwork may include: Narratives, sound mapping, field sketching, activity mapping, rephotography, emotional mapping

Secondary research: Historical and current census data, historical photographs,

Fieldwork site(s): Minehead

Evening

Introduction to qualitative data analysis
Using the data collected in the afternoon students will explore ways to present and analyse their qualitative data.

Day 2

Morning and Afternoon

Coastal systems and landscapes – Processes and landforms
An investigation into the West Somerset Coastline as a localised coastal system

Students will visit the West Somerset coastal landscape to gain detailed knowledge of the development of the coastline. By analysis of the character of the coastline they will determine possible reasons behind the development of the landform features present and the links to system processes.

Fieldwork can include: Beach profiles, sediment analysis, field sketches, annotated photographs, cliff profiles

Secondary research: BGS Geology maps, FSC Nettlecombe long term beach profile data, Plymouth Coastal Observatory data

Field site(s): Porlock Bay (40 mins – transport required)

Evening

Geographical Skills
On return to centre:

• Chi Squared statistical test on sediment data
• Drawing cliff profiles or beach profiles.
• Evaluation of methodology and investigation process.
• Generating potential NEA questions by reviewing the day’s fieldwork

Day 3

Morning

Coastal systems and landscapes
An investigation into the shoreline management plan at Minehead

The North Devon and Somerset Coastal Advisory Group (2010) state that the touristy seaside town of Minehead is managed using a “Hold the Line” approach. After identifying a suitable hypothesis, students will select fieldwork techniques to investigate why Minehead is managed using this approach, the effectiveness of the management and the effect of the management on the natural coastline and the stakeholders.

Fieldwork can include: Flood risk mapping, bipolar evaluations, cost benefit analysis, conflict matrix, questionnaires, field sketch, annotated photographs, beach profiles

Secondary research: BGS Geology maps, Plymouth Coastal Observatory data, NDASCAG shoreline management plans, newspaper articles, Environment Agency flood risk maps.

Field site(s): Minehead (20 mins – transport required)

Afternoon and Evening

Planning fieldwork investigation
Students will be introduced to the Independent Investigation requirements and will be guided through the route to enquiry and the planning process.

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 (Porlock Bay or Minehead)
Changing places (Minehead)

Students will be given an opportunity to start planning their Independent Investigation, developing and researching their chosen area of study and data collection methods in preparation for the data collection day. If completing a practice investigation this could be incorporated into an evening session and half day data collection.

Day 4

Morning and Afternoon

Geography fieldwork investigation
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 the FSC field teachers 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

Data Presentation
Students will collate and process their data, FSC field teachers provide support with appropriate techniques and using digital technologies to create sophisticated data presentation.

Day 5

Morning

Follow up from geography fieldwork investigation
Students will have an opportunity to start writing up the investigation including:

• Methodologies
• Data presentation (including where possible use of ArcGIS)
• Data analysis (including statistics)

Course finishes at 12:30.

• 
  Expert Tuition
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  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  Full Board Accommodation
• 
  Hot and Cold Drinks
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  In Course Transport
• 
  Picnic Lunch