Fieldwork

We recognise that fieldwork should pay a significant part in the Geography curriculum and that it should be regular and purposeful with careful preparation and follow-up activities in the classroom. It should be designed to support the attainment targets and integrate the use of maps and other resources with first-hand experience.

 

For children, fieldwork is about developing sensory perception, collecting information, considering attitudes and recording and analysing their data.

 

The earliest fieldwork the children will experience will be within the confines of the school buildings and school site, but as they progress through the school the range of their fieldwork will increase to encompass the school's immediate surroundings and places of specific geographical interest.

 

It is suggested that there should be at least one day visit per year to a location beyond walking distance from the school to explore the contrasting geography of another locality.

 

Progression in fieldwork should be achieved by increasing precision and detail in data recording, increasing refinement in analysis and interpretation of data, increasing spatial scale and movement from the familiar to the unfamiliar; increasing complexity of ideas and techniques.

 

Fieldwork aids the development of a range of skills; learning to work individually and co-operatively within a group; to clarify objectives; to collect data in a systematic way; to compare; to test ideas; to make decisions; to solve problems.

 

Fieldwork constitutes 20% of the final Common Entrance paper which currently needs to be marked and submitted to their senior school by a date near the end of March.

 

The National Curriculum orders for Geography indicate that students should be given opportunities to undertake studies that focus on geographical questions and that involve fieldwork. See PoS 1b & 3b. It follows that fieldwork must constitute an important part of any Geography scheme of work.

 

The Geography Department defines fieldwork as "active investigation of an area or feature which results in the acquisition of primary information".

1. The Geography Department are committed to using fieldwork wherever practicable considering the restraints of staffing, cost and time.
2. Fieldwork should be open to all students and must be organised with this in mind.
3. Any fieldwork must have clear, achievable aims and objectives which are included in the scheme of work.
4. All fieldwork must be organised with the safety of participants as the major consideration. It must comply with school policy. The minimum adult/student ratio is 1:8. Local conditions and the nature of the fieldwork may require much greater supervision. A document addressing aims, objectives, tasks, supervision, location and times should be presented to the Headmaster for approval. The venue must be visited prior to the fieldwork at a similar time and season. See also the school policy on residential trips.
5. Fieldwork involves the collection of data in the field. It must provide primary data and involve the selection of techniques and equipment commensurate with the ability of the students.
6. Staff and students should be aware of itinerary, contingency plans, First Aid facilities, emergency phone numbers.
7. Non-teacher supervisors must be informed as to their role. It must not be assumed that all adults know what to do and when to act.
8. Students must be fully informed of the nature of the fieldwork and the working conditions e.g. near rivers or main roads, any work not directly supervised and the name of the member of staff leading the trip.
9. If transport by minibus is involved staff must have regard to, and comply with, the school policy.
10. Other members of the school community need to be informed of dates and numbers involved. These include all extra-curricular activity organisers e.g. sports organisers, music teachers, drama. Kitchen staff must be informed in good time before if large numbers of pupils are involved. The School Office must have all relevant details and copies of letters issued.
11. All Geography staff should have the option to take part in fieldwork. Lesson Cover to be organised with the Senior Master.
12. The results of fieldwork, including photographs, could form the basis of display work especially for certain year groups.
13. Fieldwork should be tied in with the Department's contribution to IT.
14. For educational visits staff must ensure that the venue, organisation concerned and the transport company are all reliable, legal and safety conscious.