How we can support you in lockdown learning
National lockdowns and a move to online learning for most children will add to the stress of the children, their teachers and their parents. Here at FSC, our staff are disappointed not to currently be able to deliver great first hand outdoor learning experiences in the usual way.
However, whilst these experiences are put on hold, rest assured that FSC is still able to support teachers and help schools cover the curriculum.
We have a wide range of online resources available to help – see below – from free virtual fieldwork sessions to teacher training sessions and comprehensive digital packages covering fieldwork content where face to face learning is not currently possible.
Back in April 2020 over 377,000 students took part in our inspiring #FieldworkLive initiative. We built on this to develop digital teaching packages where FSC tutors cover whole topics online, providing valuable content for remote teaching. Hundreds of schools have been using them successfully since September.
We are still looking ahead to hopefully much brighter times in 2021, and with that in mind we are taking bookings for residential and day school visits for the summer. We have also launched new family holidays alongside our fantastic Stay with Us accommodation. I am really looking forward to welcoming you back to our centres as soon as we can.
Mark Castle – FSC CEO
Resources for schools and colleges
We have a range of primary resources to help learning from home. They are based on activities children can do in their gardens or local green space which focus on geography and science to help them keep connected to nature.
We’re pleased to be back with some more free live lessons! This time we are taking primary children outdoors with our expert tutors. In February we will be delivering five exciting sessions to connect children with nature and learn along the way. Follow the link to sign up for free resources!
Last Spring we launched and delivered #FieldworkLive, a two-week programme of live fieldwork sessions. #FieldworkLive included a range of primary content and you can find recordings of all the free live lessons here
Royal Society of Biology launched their first ever online science festival, bringing a range of videos and activities straight to your computer screen to entertain and engage. We contributed a number of exciting videos which can be accessed here
- Activity Sheets
Scavenger Hunt – Find a range of items in your garden or local walk. What will you collect?
Weather – Create your own weather diary and make a note on the changing weather that is happening. Spring is an exciting season which can see anything from snow to sunbathing weather. What will spring 2021 be like?
Maps – Enjoy focusing on a different sense by listening to and mapping the many sounds around you.
We’ve collated a whole host of useful resources for secondary geography and biology teachers to help support students whilst they are learning from home and save you time in lesson prep:
Our digital packages are the perfect way for your students to experience FSC’s fantastic outdoor learning without having to leave home. We are including access to all the resources for individual students from home within the course cost, waiving the usual add-on fee to support schools during the current lockdown.
Last Spring we launched and delivered #FieldworkLive, a two-week programme of live fieldwork sessions. #FieldworkLive focussed on a range of Geography and Science content which saw over 377,000 students register. Recordings of all the free live lessons are available here
Royal Society of Biology launched their first ever online science festival, bringing a range of videos and activities straight to your computer screen to entertain and engage. We contributed a number of exciting videos which can be accessed here
GEO is a new website created by the Geographical Association, for students studying for GCSE geography, A Level geography or equivalent qualifications. FSC has led several online tutorials which are available, alongside many other helpful resources.
We’ve just launched new online teacher training opportunities this January which include sessions to develop fieldwork skills and knowledge, ideal for geography and biology teachers. At just £10 they are a great way to upskill from home. Find out more
A series of three videos from our A Level Geography NEA conference from Summer 2020 are still available to view on our YouTube channel here
Ideas for everyone
We have a collection of FSC publications which are suitable to use in the garden so that you can still spend some time in the fresh air.
From spiders, bees and garden birds, there is plenty to watch out for in your own outdoor spaces and gardens. Take this time to learn about and identify what comes to visit you!
Click here
During this time, spending time in your garden (if you’re lucky enough to have one) will improve your wellbeing and provide you with that fresh air you’ll be longing for.
We have come up with a list of activities to keep you busy in your garden from growing plants and vegetables to creating a new habitat in your garden which will entice new wildlife in to your outdoor space.