Blencathra Field Studies Centre Lake District

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1 Blencathra Field Studies Centre Lake District Quality teaching Stunning locations Dedication to health and safety AQA AS and A2 Geography Programme Options High standard of tuition, delicious meals, cosy environment, fantastic staff and stunning views. What more could we ask for? St Wilfrid s Primary (June 2015) Consistently high standard of all-round provision year after year, perfect for our needs for 20 years Teacher, Westholme (June 2015) Blencathra gives the highest regard to student well-being and consistently provides an environment for learning, personal and social development that is safe and supportive. Quality Badge Plus Inspection (2014) Blencathra Centre, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4SG. Tel: Fax: enquiries.bl@field-studies-council.org Field Studies Council is registered as a Charity No

2 AQA A-Level Geography Programme Options The following course options are designed to meet the aims of the AQA AS and A2 Level specification. At AS, the programmes will develop the students knowledge and understanding for Unit 1 Physical and Human Geography and prepare them for Unit 2 Geographical Skills. At A2, the programmes aim to build upon the students investigative and enquiry skills for Unit 4a Geography Fieldwork Investigation. During the course, the students will develop their geographical knowledge and understanding, apply their learning to the real world through fieldwork and gain a wide range of geographical skills including graphical presentation techniques, statistical analysis and the use of modern technologies such as GIS. They will also develop their personal, learning and thinking skills through independent enquiry, teamworking and reflection. First taught session: Number of students: Last taught session: Number of school staff: Tutor(s): Sessions Topic Welcome and introduction to the centre Students are kitted out with the equipment that they will need for their course and eat the packed lunches that they have brought with them. The first session will start after lunch. Introduction to the course & the National Park Aim: To develop a sense of place about the Lake District National Park An introductory evening session during which the course aims and objectives are introduced, highlighting the assessment requirements. The students will also evaluate their understanding of geographical skills and concepts which will be covered during the course. Students use map work skills to increase their knowledge and understanding of the human and physical geography of the Lake District. AS/ River (upland stream accessible from the centre) Aim: To investigate downstream change along Glenderaterra Beck. Students undertake an investigation into changing channel characteristics, such as cross profile, wetted perimeter, hydraulic radius, velocity and discharge and consider how these are influenced by increased distance downstream. The investigation is designed specifically to prepare the students for Unit 2 Geographical Skills and covers all aspects of the enquiry process, including building on and evaluating a wide range of fieldwork skills and data interpretation techniques. The investigation is completed with a Spearman s Rank test and an evaluation of the whole investigative process. At A2, it is taught as a geographical investigation and can be used to develop the students The study takes place at three sites on an 800m stretch of Glenderaterra Beck, a tributary of the River Greta. This impressive valley is accessed on foot directly from the centre and takes 50 minutes to reach the furthest site. The route is a total of 5.4km (200m of ascent/descent) along a well-maintained footpath and uneven boggy ground.

3 AS/ River (upland stream with a wide range of fluvial features) Cold Upland Glacial Landforms Cold Lowland Glacial & Fluvioglacial Landforms (half or full day) Aim: To investigate downstream change along Keskadale Beck. Students undertake an investigation into changing channel characteristics, such as cross profile, wetted perimeter, hydraulic radius, velocity and discharge and consider how these are influenced by increased distance downstream. The investigation is designed specifically to prepare the students for Unit 2 Geographical Skills and covers all aspects of the enquiry process, including building on and evaluating a wide range of fieldwork skills and data interpretation techniques. The investigation is completed with a spearman s rank and an evaluation of the whole investigative process. At A2, it is taught as a geographical investigation and can be used to develop the students The study takes place at three sites on a 280m or 1.5km stretch of Keskadale Beck, a tributary of Newlands Back and Lake Bassenthwaite. From a stunning waterfall close to the Newlands Pass, the stream meanders along the glaciated valley beside the road, making the site accessible to less mobile students. The terrain underfoot is boggy in places. If using centre transport, a cost of 4.00 is payable per student. Aim: To investigate evidence of glaciation in the Lake District Students identify a range of erosional and depositional glacial landforms in the field, gaining a sense of their size, shape and formation. They will be encouraged to develop enquiry skills to uncover Easedale s glacial and post-glacial history and consider the processes which have contributed to shaping the landscape. The follow-up can be based on consolidating the learning that took place in the field and developing map work skills or can concentrate on the statistical analysis of till data covering a range of skills such as rose diagrams and Chi Square. The investigation is designed primarily to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the physical option Cold in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography. The study takes place along a 7km circular walk through stunning mountain landscape on uneven footpaths in the Easedale Valley. The route starts in the honeypot village of Grasmere, leading up to Easedale Tarn and then back along Far Easedale. If using centre transport, a cost of 6.00 is payable per student. Aim: To identify, describe and explain the formation of lowland glacial and fluvioglacial features in the Lake District Students further develop their understanding of glacial and fluvioglacial features and processes to piece together the glacial history of Borrowdale. The study builds upon prior learning to enable the students to interpret glacial landscapes with greater independence and to theorise the chronological order of the formation of a wide range of lowland features such as moraines, drumlins and eskers. The investigation is designed primarily to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the physical option Cold in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography. The study takes place at a number of different sites in Borrowdale, Mosedale and around Keswick and includes short walks of up to 2km. If using centre transport, a cost of 6.50 is payable per student.

4 Coastal AS/ Flood Management (half or full day) Population Change Inner City & Suburban Aim: To investigate the impacts of coastal erosion at St Bees and strategies which are used to manage the coastline. Students build up a case study of factors affecting coastal erosion and assess the pros and cons of a variety of coastal management strategies, conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the Environment Agency s current approach and undertake an investigation into beach dynamics and their interaction with local management strategies. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the physical option Coastal in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography and reinforces geographical skills such as presentation techniques and analysis. The study takes place in the tiny coastal resort of St Bees, on the West Cumbrian coastline. The current strategy adopted by the EA is to hold the line, which involves a wide range of hard and soft engineering approaches within a 1km stretch of coastline. The journey takes approximately 1¼ hours and, if using centre transport, cost 7.50 per student. Aim: To investigate the causes, impacts and management of flood risk in Keswick. Students investigate the causes, impacts and management of flooding in Keswick. Walking beside the course of the River Greta the students map the responses to flood hazard, evaluating the pros of cons of each defence strategy and consider the range of social, economic and environmental impacts within the town. For the full day, students will also use digital mapping skills to conduct a flood risk investigation. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the core physical section Rivers, Floods and Management in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography. At A2, it is taught as a geographical investigation and can be used to develop the students The study takes place along the River Greta in Keswick, a town which suffered severe flooding in 2005 and A wide range of hard and soft-engineering strategies are used along the course of the river, with the latest development completed in At A2, there is the option of developing the study further in the rural river catchment of the Vale of St John. If using centre transport, a cost of 3.50 is payable per student. Aim: To investigate and compare the characteristics of two contrasting areas within Carlisle Students investigate the characteristics such as housing, environmental quality, provision of services and age structure of two contrasting areas of Carlisle and consider how changes in population have affected and continue to affect these areas. The follow-up session concentrates on data presentation skills, such as GIS, and evaluating an investigation. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the core human section Population Change in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography as well as preparing them for Unit 2 Geographical Skills.

5 Population Change Suburban, Rural-Urban Fringe & Rural Settlement (half or full day) Food Supply Issues Agriculture in an Upland Area (half day) Energy Issues Wind (half day) The study takes place in St Aidans, an inner city residential ward in Carlisle and Stanwix, a suburbanised ward in the north of the city. Characterised by dense housing, poor environmental quality and vacant business premises, St Aidans is currently experiencing change due to the growth of the neighbouring university. In contrast, Stanwix has evolved from a small rural settlement suburbanised at the end of the 19 th Century to part of a sprawling suburb many miles from the rural-urban fringe. If using centre transport, a cost of 6.50 per student is payable. Aim: To investigate and compare the characteristics of three contrasting settlements in rural Cumbria Students investigate the characteristics such as housing, environmental quality, provision of services and age structure of a suburb of Penrith, a village in Penrith s rural-urban fringe and a rural settlement in a sparsely populated area and consider how changes in population have affected and continue to affect these areas. The follow-up session concentrates on data presentation skills, such as GIS, and evaluating an investigation. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the core human section Population Change in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography as well as preparing them for Unit 2 Geographical Skills. The study takes place in Carleton, once a small farming community, now engulfed by a housing estate, Stainton, a village in Penrith s rural-urban fringe which has become a commuter settlement and Threlkeld, a rural settlement in the Lake District National Park. If using centre transport, a cost of 5.50 is payable per student. Aim: To develop knowledge and understanding of farming practices in the Lake District Students investigate an upland sheep farm as a case study of a food production system. Through an interview with a local farmer, they consider the role of the European Union in strategies such as subsidies, set-aside and environmental stewardship, and how changes in demand, such as movement towards locally sourced food and organic produce impact upon local producers. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the human option Food Supply Issues in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography. The interview takes place at Middle Row Farm with Willie Tyson, a Cumbrian-born tenant sheep farmer. The farm is located adjacent to the field centre and therefore involves no transport costs. Aim: To investigate the environmental impact of wind energy production in Cumbria. Students evaluate wind energy as an example of a renewable energy source. Visiting a well-established wind farm on the Energy coast, West Cumbria s rebranded coastline, and a proposed site for a wind farm just outside the National Park, the students learn about wind energy in a national context from the energy provider and on a local scale considering the environmental impact and the attitudes of local people. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the human option Energy Issues in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography.

6 Energy Issues Blencathra Renewables (half day) The interview of a wind energy provider takes place at Winscales wind farm, just outside Workington, which has recently built a further 7 turbines, Siddick and Oldside wind farms on the Solway coast, which first started producing energy in 1996 and Sale Fell, located close to Cockermouth. If using centre transport, a cost of 6.50 is payable per student. Aim: To provide a case study small scale a renewable energy production in the UK Students examine the Renewable Energy Project at Blencathra. In 2013, a DEFRA-supported Renewable Energy Scheme was completed. Students make an Environmental Impact Assessment of the hydro-electric scheme, and visit the turbine house that supplies 35kW of power to the centre. Students do field measurements that help explain the purpose of our feasibility study. The visit to the scheme also poses the question of suitability of this technology in a National Park, and the challenges Renewables might face. We also visit the biomass boiler house, an example of a finite renewable energy, and encourage students to consider the pros and cons of both technologies they have seen. Supplementary exercises can include a decision making exercise on Renewable Energy and a calculation of the maximum abstraction allowed at Roughton Ghyll. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the human option Energy Issues in Unit 1 Physical & Human Geography. The micro-hydro scheme is located in the Glenderaterra Valley, a 2.5km walk from the centre. The weir and coanda, as well as the turbine house can be visited. Urban Decline & Regeneration - Maryport The biomass district heating system is on site and groups can access the boiler house to see and understand the process. Aim: To investigate the decline and economic regeneration in the West Cumbrian town of Maryport. Students investigate the causes and consequences of economic decline, the regeneration schemes and the effectiveness of these strategies. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the A2 option Urban Decline and Regeneration, enabling the students to construct a detailed case study. It is taught as a geographical investigation and can be used to develop the students The study takes place in Maryport, a West Cumbrian coastal town which suffered severe economic decline in the 1950s and 60s. Through private and public investment the town has attempted to regenerate itself as an attractive tourist destination, focusing on its maritime heritage and connections to Hadrian s Wall. If using centre transport, a cost of 7.50 is payable per student.

7 Urban Decline & Regeneration - Carlisle Ecosystems in the British Isles Over Time Lithosere Succession & Heather Moorland (half or full day) Ecosystems in the British Isles Over Time Sand Dune Succession Aim: To investigate the decline and economic regeneration in Carlisle. Students investigate the causes, characteristics and management of urban decline and regeneration in an inner city area of Carlisle. This also takes into account the impact and response of the 2005 flood event in the Warwick Road area. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the A2 option Urban Decline and Regeneration, enabling the students to construct a detailed case study. It is taught as a geographical investigation and can be used to develop the students The study takes place in St Aidan s, an inner city area of Carlisle. Characterised by dense housing, poor environmental quality and numerous vacant shop and business premises, the area has undergone regeneration. Schemes include the regeneration of Botchergate (the city s entertainment quarter), investment following the 2005 floods and a new university. If using centre transport, a cost of 6.50 is payable per student. Aim: To investigate primary succession on a lithosere and management of a heather moorland. Students investigate lithosere succession, studying the influence of abiotic and edaphic factors in the distribution of plant communities across a scree slope. This is followed by an investigation into the role of human activities on heather moorland investigating the impact of burning as a method of managing a plagioclimax. The investigations are designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the A2 option Ecosystems in the British Isles Over Time. They are also taught as geographical investigations which build upon the students investigative and enquiry skills for Unit 4a Geography Fieldwork Investigation. The two studies take place in the beautiful and secluded Caldew Valley, situated near the village of Mosedale and approximately 25 minutes drive from the centre. If using centre transport, a cost of 5.50 is payable per student. Aim: To investigate the process of succession across a psammosere. Students investigate the succession of plant communities across a sand dune system. The distribution of plants in relation to edaphic and other abiotic factors will be studied, as well as considering the role of human activities. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the A2 option Ecosystems in the British Isles Over Time. It can also be taught as a geographical investigation to build upon the students This study takes place in Drigg SSSI, an ecologically rich and established sand dune system located near Seascales on the West Cumbrian coast. The journey takes approximately 1½ hours and, if using centre transport, a cost of 7.50 is payable per student.

8 Nature of Ecosystems Freshwater Nature of Ecosystems Woodland (half day) Aim: To investigate the distribution and abundance of freshwater invertebrates in a pool and riffle. Students investigate the structure, energy flows, trophic levels, food chains and food webs in a freshwater stream. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the A2 option Ecosystems: Change and Challenge. It can also be taught as a geographical investigation to build upon the students investigative and enquiry skills for Unit 4a Geography Fieldwork Investigation. This study takes place in St John s Beck, an ecologically-rich stream 20 minutes drive from the centre. If using centre transport, a cost of 3.50 is payable per student. Aim: To compare the distribution and abundance of ground and field layer vegetation in two woodland areas. A study of temperate deciduous woodland and the factors affecting the distribution and diversity of woodland ground flora, such as light, soil ph, temperature and canopy age. The investigation is designed to develop the students knowledge and understanding for the A2 option Ecosystems: Change and Challenge. It can also be taught as a geographical investigation to build upon the students investigative and enquiry skills for Unit 4a Geography Fieldwork Investigation. This study takes place in Brundholme Woods, a deciduous woodland close to the centre, which has been managed in part through coppicing. The woods are 40 minutes walk from the centre, therefore no transport costs are involved. Additional Notes Please feel free to request further details on the content, learning objectives and outcomes for each topic we teach. The order of days and location of study sites may be varied due to the weather, and to avoid equipment/transport clashes. Students are requested to bring a pen, pencil and paper. They may also find a camera, memory stick, calculator, protractor, folder in which to keep their work, colouring pencils and graph paper useful. Course leaders are advised to bring a memory stick or portable hard drive onto which resources and students work can be saved. Students will undertake activities outdoors for extended periods of time and should therefore be dressed appropriately for the prevailing weather conditions. They may need walking boots, wellies, a waterproof jacket with hood and waterproof trousers. All the above items can be hired from centre for 2 per item. Transport Transport to the fieldwork sites can be provided by Blencathra Centre. This will incur an additional cost. For a detailed breakdown of the cost, please enquire. An invoice will be made out to the school and sent out to the organiser immediately after the course. If you have agreed to drive during the course, please complete a driving form and provide us with a copy of your full driving licence in advance. We can provide a shuttle service to and from Penrith railway station. Which will incur and additional charge of 8 per student.

9 A Typical Day We make the most of your time whilst at the centre. A typical day would normally consist of a classroom session starting at 9.30am, followed by fieldwork from 10.30am to 4pm in the afternoon. On return, the students enjoy a break and then follow-up their learning in the classroom until 6pm. The after dinner session lasts around one hour. Health & Safety All tutored sessions are risk assessed and led by experienced teaching staff with specialist knowledge and fieldwork expertise. All education staff hold first aid qualifications and are trained in H&S and group management. The FSC holds the Quality Badge from The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, which is awarded to organisations which have demonstrated that they consistently deliver high quality teaching and learning experiences and manage risk effectively. Adventurous Activities We are accredited to offer a range of more adventurous activities such as gill scrambling and mountain walking. These offer the students a marvellous opportunity to develop their personal and leadership skills. Blencathra Field Studies Centre is one of seventeen centres in the UK run by the Field Studies Council, an independent education charity committed to bringing environmental understanding to all. We offer tailor-made packages for schools and youth groups as well as providing outreach education and adult training. Leading the field in innovative, effective and enjoyable approaches to learning outside the classroom, we are confident of providing a safe, secure and caring atmosphere in which students will widen their environmental understanding, improve their motivation and develop their personal and social skills. We can accommodate up to 110 people full-board, including a self-contained, self-catering unit for up to 22 people and offer a choice of half or full day sessions. Facebook.com/blencathrafsc