ITE/PGCE/CPD Secondary Geography

Field Studies Council Preston Montford is a leading activity centre in Shropshire, perfectly placed for outdoor learning adventures. Located just outside Shrewsbury and nestled on the banks of the River Severn Preston Montford is surrounded by rolling countryside with views into Wales, on a 12-hectare estate and offers an inspiring outdoor classroom for learners of all ages.

Easily accessible by road, Preston Montford makes a great base for exploring a wide range of landscapes across the region. Students and visitors can study the hills of the Long Mynd and Stiperstones, visit Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, or access contrasting urban environments in Shrewsbury or Birmingham and we are close enough to visit Eryri (Snowdonia) in a day.

Field Studies Council Flatford Mill is located amidst the quintessentially English countryside of the Dedham Vale. It is only an hour from London with excellent road and rail access. The Centre is set across three buildings in beautiful John Constable country in Suffolk. The Mill and Willy Lott’s House are instantly recognisable since they feature in many paintings by Constable (location of his Haywain Painting).

The centre is situated at the end of a lane that has no through traffic and offers visitors of all ages a much sought-after sense of tranquillity sitting on the banks of the River Stour. Situated in 7 hectares of grounds, these include riverside and lake margins, woodland and grassland, quiet areas with picnic benches all connected by circular walks. It is within close proximity to ‘Heaths’ Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Flatford Mill is the first and original field study centre set up in the UK during the 1940’s.

It uses 100% green electricity and aims to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Day 1

Arrive Midday

• Participants greeted by Field Studies Council staff.
• Welcome talk and centre tour.
• Pre-course meeting with our staff and teachers.
• Allocation of wellies/waterproofs.

Afternoon

An Immersive Introduction to Fieldwork in Geography

The group will start to explore the basics of the geography toolkit, including sampling skills and the route to enquiry. The aim of this session is also to consider how we as teachers can use the environment to inspire students, encourage interpretation of the landscape and develop their geographical skills.

Evening

Benefits and Challenges of Fieldwork

Using real-world fieldwork examples participants will consider the benefits and challenges of carrying out geography in an outdoors environment. We will explore the barriers to outdoor learning and look at how to overcome these barriers in a school setting. Includes a risk assessment session.

Day 2

Morning

Physical Fieldwork *environment dependent on location

We will visit a local site of geographical interest to carry out a physical fieldwork investigation and to consider how outdoor learning can inspire and support teaching in the wider curriculum.  Participants will get to experience a range of quantitative fieldwork techniques and methods.

Afternoon

Human fieldwork *environment dependent on location

The group will have the opportunity to carry out a second investigation exploring human geography themes. Everyone will get to experience a range of qualitative and sensory fieldwork techniques and methods.

Evening

NEA Planning

Workshop exploring how teachers can prepare students for the NEA and explaining the teacher’s role in the NEA process.

Day 3

Morning

Skills Workshop

Led by customer needs, this session can focus on use of GIS, statistical analysis or further topic-based support

• Review of the course.
• Signposting further actions and opportunities with the Field Studies Council and beyond.
• Final farewell from staff.

Depart at Midday  

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