Common Entrance Geography: Key Stage 3 Geography

Day 1

Morning

Arrive Midday

• Students greeted by staff.
• Welcome talk and Centre tour.
• Pre-course meeting with FSC staff and teachers.
• Allocation of wellies/waterproofs.

Afternoon

Geographical Skills

Students will actively explore the beautiful surroundings of the FSC learning location, using a combination of paper-based maps and digital devices. Geo-caching, orienteering and map work activities will introduce students to fieldwork and enquiry skills, laying the groundwork for the individual fieldwork enquiry.

Evening

Preparing the Enquiry

Students will use internet research, GIS and other visual stimuli to research the locality for their study. They will need all their creativity and geographical knowledge to state some clear aims and hypothesis and gather the relevant background information they need for their study. They will design at least two different data collection methods and justify their choices, based on their hypothesis or enquiry questions.

Day 2

Morning and Afternoon

Gathering the Data

Students will be immersed in the geography of iconic locations as they collect their primary data and use it to answer their hypothesis and key questions. They will work in teams, collecting quantitative data as well as field sketches, photographs and other qualitative data. As a school group there will be a choice of:

• Rivers: Geomorphological processes
• Landforms and processes of erosion, transportation and deposition using a downstream change investigation.
• Coastal: Geomorphological processes
• Landforms and processes of erosion, transportation and deposition using a coastal environment
• Coastal or River Flooding

A case study of a flood; physical and human causes, impacts and ways to reduce the risks

• Population and Settlement: Urban Development
• A case study of a completed urban development project located close to the field centre
• Weather and Climate
• An investigation into the influence of aspects, shelter, building, surface and natural features in relation to microclimates

Evening

Data Analysis

Students will begin to present their data. They will be coached on different and appropriate techniques, and will have feedback on any sophisticated and innovative ways of presenting their data. Students will review the group’s findings and begin the process of understanding and examining their data, linking back to their hypotheses and key questions.

Day 3

Morning

Extending the Syllabus

Students will explore a local geographically significant area, which has a dynamic issue that requires a solution. Using multiple sources of information, including a detailed site visit, students will develop a solution to the issues. They will use GIS to achieve some complex data presentation, and be introduced to multi-media applications to create engaging and professional presentations of their solutions. Issues can be based around urban, coastal, flooding or tourism areas.

Afternoon

Depart at Midday

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

Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.

Develop skills

• Communication | Resilience | Independent thinking | Leadership
• Numeracy | Literacy | Investigative skills | Observation

Enhance Knowledge

• Ask questions.
• Apply knowledge in the real world and make links.
• Make sense of new places and understand our place and role within this.

Enjoy

• Have fun | Make friendships | Connect with nature