YEAR 9 HUNSTANTON AND NORTH NORFOLK The trip has been substantially revised to ensure that it reflects more closely the curriculum continent of Year 9 and maximises the potential of the area for field studies. There is a distinct human and physical split between tourism studies in Hunstanton and general investigations of coastal processes at Brancaster. Transport: Coach – to be fitted with seatbelts. No field equipment needs to be taken on this trip so there are no storage issues. Periodic checks are made to ensure pupils are wearing their seat belts. The journey takes approximately 2 ½ hours to Hunstanton. A short comfort break is recommended shortly after Peterborough. Pupils are permitted iPods etc. although they are to be left on the coach during the day. Likewise mobile phones are permitted, but should not be used during fieldwork. Nearest hospital: Hunstanton Hunstanton Land Use Survey The fieldwork involves a survey of land use/services within the town. The pattern of commercial, tourist, residential land uses is explained. Pupils will be led in groups along a pre-determined route around the town supervised by members of staff. They work in pairs tallying different services etc. The initial route is free of traffic through a caravan park and funfair and then onto the South Promenade. Pupils are advised of the need for good behaviour and to keep together in their groups – each led by a member of staff. Pupils should not be permitted on the rides, although they can make purchases etc. from the seafront kiosks etc. General risk level – low. The second stage of the fieldwork involves a walk around the main commercial area of Hunstanton. High Street is pedestrianised, although pupils are reminded for caution against traffic on other roads. Again the groups are sent off individually with members of staff supervising. Most pupils will want to visit the Joke Shop which can be fitted in before meeting back on The Green. General risk level – low/moderate. The final leg of the survey involves a walk through the Esplanade towards the North Promenade. Here there are no traffic issues, although pupils are advised to stay on the paths etc. and not to trample through the ornamental flower beds! General risk level – low. Lunch is generally taken in the Salad Bowl café with prior arrangement with the proprietors. 01485 534768 Coastal processes – Hunstanton Cliff Pupils are advised not to approach the foot of the cliff or to throw stones. At low tide, the exposed shore platform is very slippery and should be avoided. The cliffs are studied from a distance and hard hats are not necessary. The cliff is accessed via an inclined path from the café. In the event of high spring tides, the cliffs can be viewed from the Promenade without the need to go onto the beach. General risk – low/moderate. Arrangements are made for the coach to collect the pupils from outside the café. Brancaster Marsh Brancaster is approx 15-20 minutes from Hunstanton. Brancaster beach is accessed via a tidal road. Checks need to be made with the National Trust about access and the state of the tide on the day of the visit. In the event of high spring tides, sites at Brancaster Staithe and Wells-next-the-Sea should be substituted. However, tidal problems are generally not an issue. National Trust – 01485 210719  Golf Club  01485 210223 (contact for parking) The salt marsh is readily accessible from the car park. It is a high level marsh with few areas of soft mud etc. Tidal creeks are visible along with salt pans. General risk – low. Brancaster beach itself has a wide tidal range. It is imperative that all pupils stay together in closely supervised groups and are discouraged from crossing the channels. The beach was the site of a well-publicised tragedy in 2000 when a young lad went missing, later to be found drowned. The groups are led northwards away from the club house towards the dune system – approx. 10 minutes walk. The dune system is fragile and owned by the National Trust. Pupils are discouraged from trampling across the dunes. A flight of wooden steps takes the pupils on to the top of the main dune ridge where the golf course and saltmarsh can be viewed. General risk – low/moderate. The route is retraced towards the club house. South of the club house an area of coastal realignment can be studied. The club house itself has been protected with large rock armour blocks. These can be unstable and pupils should be discouraged from climbing over them. There is a certain amount of general detritus on the beach in this area (rusty pipework etc.) which could draw the attention of some pupils. Staff should observe carefully. General risk – low/moderate. Alternative Sites (High Tide at Brancaster) Burnham Deepdale. Coach parks in lay-by opposite garage. There is short walk (10 mins) to view the saltmarshes. Both slob and sward zones can be accessed.  A gravel path crosses the marsh with no need for pupils to walk across the soft flats. General risk – low. Wells-next-the-Sea. Pupils are discouraged from (a) running across the soft flats east of the road and (b) leaving the main party on the beach which is subject to a wide tidal range similar to Brancaster. The area provides some small sand dunes to study and evidence of dune stabilization – gabions and tree planting. General risk – low/moderate.

 

YEAR 11 - SWANAGE RESIDENTIAL FIELDCOURSE   Parents requesting a copy of the formal risk assessment for this fieldcourse should also receive a copy of the department's policy on safety relating to field visits. The course involves studies of the coastal erosion cycle in and around Lulworth Cove, fluvial processes along the Piddle River, coastal management in Swanage Bay, ecological and geological studies on Studland Heath with opportunities for individual project work on the final day. The course typically runs in the first week of the October half-term holiday.   Travel is by school minibus - the general school guidelines on minibus travel are reinforced. Students will remain seated during travel and will wear seatbelts whilst the vehicle is in motion. Baggage and field equipment will be transported by trailer and will not be stowed within the passenger area.   Nearest Hospital: Swanage.   q       Lulworth Cove - low risk. In line with departmental policy (clause 7.1.1), all students will wear hard hats whilst conducting fieldwork near the base of the cliff.  Measurement of wave characteristics - those students volunteering to wade out are advised to wear old trainers to guard against cuts. Be aware of students becoming cold and that all have warm spare clothes. See also departmental policy on wading in the sea (clause 7.1.3).   q       Walk to Durdle Door - moderate risk. Steep coastal path following line of cliffs (exposed near Durdle Door). Students to be advised of dangers and to keep well back from the cliff edge. Steep steps down to Durdle Door.   q       River Piddle - low/moderate risk. The river remains wadable even after heavy rain, although additional caution is needed in these circumstances. See departmental policy on safety on field visits (clause 7.2.2.). Close supervision should be provided at all times. Students should not wade in the stream in bare feet. Be aware of students becoming cold and that all have warm spare clothes. Two sections of the Piddle are compared (upstream and downstream). There is some difficulty descending the banks at Brockhill Fish Farm and ropes securely tied to trees are advisable. Access to either section is limited to small groups, hence the party will be split if total numbers exceed 15, each group examining either section alternately.   q       Swanage Bay - moderate risk. Fieldwork here is limited by the state of the tides. The tide timetable should be consulted carefully and any necessary adjustments made to the day's itinerary. The northern end of Swanage Bay becomes isolated from the access road at high tide. See clause 7.1.2 of the policy on safety on field visits for guidelines relating to work on beaches with a tidal risk.     q       Studland Heath - low risk. Possible risk of dune collapse, but students will be advised to keep within the preset transect line. Strays from nudist beach - beware of sensitivities of some students.   q       Godlingston Heath - moderate risk. Agglestone rock may be scaled, although extreme caution should be advised.   q       Swanage - Access to Town - moderate risk. Students will only have limited periods of free time available to go down to Swanage and these will be generally after class from 9.00-10.00pm. Strict rules against the consumption of alcohol, entering pubs etc. will be reinforced. Staff generally make a patrol of the town centre streets and likely attractions and ensure that all students are accounted for. Students are reminded that the consumption of alcohol or other activity which contravenes the school code of conduct will result in repatriation.   q       Individual Personal Studies (coursework) - risk depending on activity. Staff supervision will be required for work in Swanage Bay or on the River Piddle where there is a higher degree of risk. With larger groups, an additional member of staff will remain based at Studland Heath should students opt for this study. All students will be briefed on potential risk during their coursework planning session the evening before. Students will not be permitted to work individually unless staff supervision can be provided. Students working in groups without direct staff supervision should be able to contact the course leader by mobile phone should the need arise.

 

LOWER SIXTH - THE ISLE OF ARRAN   The field centre in Lochranza has its own formal risk assessment. However, the trip features a 'stop-over' at Malham in the Yorkshire Dales to examine limestone geomorphology.   Transport: Minibus - school guidelines apply. Nearest Hospital: Skipton (Yorkshire Dales), Lamlash (Arran)   q       Malham Cove - moderate risk. Ascent of steep steps to top of Cove. Deep grykes and loose clints require caution in traversing. Advice should be given about the slippery nature of the rocks and keeping back from the precipitous edge above the Cove.   q       Gordale Scar - moderate/high risk. Students have the option to scramble up the rockfall and tufa screen to the natural arch at the top of Gordale Scar. Extreme caution is required and should only be offered where the ability of the students is assured. The rocks are invariably slippery. The initial part of the ascent is difficult in its descent and requires careful location of hand and foot holds which are often not easily visible.

 

UPPER SIXTH - METEOROLOGY COURSE IN SNOWDONIA   The trip concentrates on the perculiar meteorology and local climatology of a mountain environment. The main hazard is exposure to the weather and students are advised in detail about adequate clothing etc. Parents requesting a copy of this risk assessment should also be shown the department's policy on the safety on field visits, particularly the section relating to work in an upland environment.   Transport: Minibus - school guidelines apply. Nearest Hospital: Accident & Emergency - Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.   q       Ascent of Snowdon Ranger Footpath - low risk. A fairly steep ascent along a well-trodden path above the Nantlle Valley to no more than 2000ft. No advise necessary other than the need to keep to the footpath (for conservation reasons).   q       Ascent of the Pyg Track from Pen y Pass - moderate risk. The path becomes steeper and more uneven in places than the SR footpath, particularly in the area below Crib Goch. Ascent will be to 2000ft only and students will not be permitted to ascend beyond the rockwall leading to the Crib Goch ridge. There are good hand and foot holds where scrambling is necessary - staff to lead.  Staff should advise of potentially slippery rocks.   q       Pass of Llanberis - low risk. Measurements confined to the valley floor close to the road.   q       Dyffryn Mymbyr & Ogwen valley - low risk. Measurements confined to the valley floor close to the road.     UPPER SIXTH - GLACIATION FIELDCOURSE IN SNOWDONIA   The trip is designed to complement the meteorology fieldcourse. As the aim to view the full grandeur of the glaciated landscape of Snowdonia, the trip carries a higher level of risk although the potential for injury remains very low indeed.   Transport: Minibus - school guidelines apply. Nearest Hospital: Accident & Emergency - Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.   q       Cwm Idwal - low risk. Walk around the perimeter of Llyn Idwal (corrie lake) along well trodden and well maintained footpath.   q       Cwm Idwal - Devil's Kitchen - moderate risk. Very steep, but well trodden and stepped path. Occasional light scramble. Provides view down Cwm Idwal with Nant Ffrancon behind and access to boulder fields and screes on the lower flanks of Glyder Fawr. There will be no ascent of any of the peaks in the Glyder range beyond 2000ft - other than to the summit of Y Garn which is a moderate gradient from the top of the Devil's Kitchen with fine views of Snowdon and the Carneddau peaks[1].  If conditions are wet, the return descent should be made around the side of the Llyn Clyd  corrie as the Devil's Kitchen path is apt to become very slippery.   q       Dyffryn Mymbyr & Ogwen Valley - low risk. Roche moutonees and striated platforms. No specific advise necessary - these features are an easy and safe walk from the road.   q       Pass of Llanberis - moderate risk. Ascent of short, but fairly steep scree slopes. Students will be advised of slippery and unstable material. See departmental policy on safety on field visits (clause 7.3.3). Parking for minibus nearby. [1]  Parents should be advised prior to signing the Consent Form that students will be ascending Y Garn, whilst at the same time emphasing the relative safety of the ascent and the close road access.

 

General Policy on Field Visits This document should be read in conjunction with the Department's General Policy on Fieldwork and the School Policy on Visits.   The safety of both pupils and supervisory staff on fieldtrips undertaken as part of the geography curriculum is of paramount importance. In essence, no aspect of health and safety should be compromised in the execution of any field work.   The nature of the fieldwork should reflect both the physical and mental maturity of the pupils involved. The level of risk presented to younger pupils especially should be minimal taking into account the children's lack of experience of  the environments that they are being exposed to and their potential hazards.   This policy outlines a number of procedures that should be followed in the organisation and undertaking of fieldwork in geography both on single day visits and on longer residential fieldcourses.   Procedures   1.Planning   1.1 The department runs a number of long-standing day visits and residential visits. Nevertheless, the planning of these trips should always involve a careful re-assessment of the potential risks to students. The level of experience and maturity of students will vary from year to year and certain adjustments of itinerary may be necessary to reflect this.   1.2 The planning phase should involve a formal risk assessment and the completion of the appropriate form and its submission for approval to the Deputy Headmaster. This risk assessment must be made well in advance of the visit (not less than 1 month) so that any suggested amendments can be introduced.   1.3 Members of staff should present ideas for new fieldtrips to the Head of Department in the first instance who will then request that a formal action plan be completed. This action plan should comprise the following:   q       Year group or class involved q       Type of visit (day trip, longer residential visit) q       Destination and details of places to be visited q       Areas of the curriculum which are being supported q       Learning objectives q       Exercises to be undertaken by students in the field q       Proposed follow-up work in class   1.4 If the fieldtrip is deemed to enhance the pupils' learning, the Head of Department will then allow a formal application for a student visit to be made to the Deputy Headmaster. This is made through the completion of general school forms NGS403 and NGS403RA (risk assessment).   1.5 The risk assessment should be given careful consideration and, if necessary, guidance sought from the Head of Department. When assessing the risk in relation to a visit, the following factors are important:   q       the type of activity and the level at which it is undertaken q       the age, competence, fitness and temperament of the group members q       any special educational or medical needs of pupils q       supervision ratios and the competence of supervisory staff q       the location, routes and modes of transport q       emergency procedures       2. Staffing   2.1 The nature of fieldwork which is undertaken in geography presents a higher level of risk than would be anticipated on many other types of school visit. For these reasons, staff:student ratios for geography fieldtrips should be high. The staff:student ratios detailed below relate to qualified teachers. It is not departmental policy to substitute parents and/or other adults for teachers unless indicated specifically below. With the exception of short visits during lesson time, all trips should have a nominated Leader and Deputy Leader and, in addition, a point of contact at home. This point of contact should be available throughout the duration of a residential visit.   2.2 For residential fieldtrips the ratio should be 1 teacher per 8 pupils, with no fewer than 2 teachers on any residential visit. Where the pupils are of mixed sex, there should be at least 1 male and 1 female teacher. In the case of single sex parties, both or all teachers may be of the same sex.  Persons who are not qualified teachers are excluded from such visits.   2.3 For day visits the ratio should be 1 teacher per 10 pupils, with no fewer than 2 teachers for any visit. It is still desirable to achieve the requirement above relating to the sex of the accompanying teachers, although this may be relaxed if it is not practicable. Persons who are not qualified teachers can be included on these visits, provided that there are at least 2 teachers irrespective of numbers.   2.4 For day visits involving Sixth Form students only,  the requirement for a second teacher may be relaxed provided that a second adult accompanies the students on visits that involve a drive of more than 1 hour's duration and/or where fieldwork involves any strenuous activity, e.g. walking over rough terrain. Short visits which are less strenuous, e.g. study of local settlements, may be made by 1 teacher alone.   2.5 For short visits involving other year groups, e.g. fieldwork undertaken during lesson time, there is no requirement for additional teachers provided that the staff:student ratio is not greater than 1 teacher to 18 students.             3. Medical and Dietary Requirements   3.1 These aspects should not be overlooked on day visits and longer residential visits. Special consideration must be given to those students with medical conditions that prevent them from taking part in certain aspects of fieldwork which are relatively strenuous, e.g. walking up steep paths or where students may be presented with phobias. In some cases, these phobias may present themselves for the first time on a geography fieldtrip (e.g. visit to a limestone cavern may trigger a fear of confined spaces) and staff should be sensitive to these issues.   3.2 All staff should be aware of the medication that students have and the circumstances under which it must be taken (intervals, before or after meals etc.) and ensure that students do not lapse in taking it. Particular attention should be given to diabetics.   3.3 Pupils with specific dietary requirements (vegetarian, gluten-free etc) should be catered for and residential centres should be given adequate notice of such requirements.   4. Briefing   4.1 Staff and pupils should be fully briefed in advance of the trip. The briefing should outline the following:                           Itinerary                         Levels of risk                         Conduct expected from pupils                         Kit requirements                         Times of arrival and departure                         4.2 Parents should be kept well informed of  all aspects of the trip. Staff should consult the school Visits Policy on the nature of all communications to parents during the planning stage of the trip.     5. Transport   5.1 Unless the visit is of short duration and undertaken in lesson time, where teachers are driving pupils in a school minibus there should be another adult capable of driving the bus.   5.2 On a day visit it is preferable that the teacher who has led the fieldwork during the course of the day does not drive the minibus on the return journey. If this is not possible, the drivers should be changed at regular intervals of not more than 90 minutes.   5.3 Staff should ensure that all pupils are wearing seatbelts whilst the vehicle is in motion. Only coach companies that have seatbelts fitted should be hired.   5.4 Stops to use the toilet should be made at intervals not exceeding two hours. Consideration should be made to the needs of diabetics in planning for toilet stops.           6. During the Visit   6.1 The Leader should remain within easy telephone contact throughout the duration of the visit. Contact should preferably be by mobile phone 24 hours a day so that problems that rise can be dealt with immediately.   6.2 The Leader and Deputy Leader should be aware of the location of the nearest Accident and Emergency Department should it be required.   6.3 The school policies on Tobacco, Drugs and Substance Abuse and Alcohol are applicable throughout any visit. No student, regardless of their age, may take illegal drugs or buy alcohol at any time during the visit. Students who fail to comply with these rules and in so doing are in breach of the law in the United Kingdom will be repatriated. Sixth Form students may not smoke tobacco during the working day, either in the field or in class. They must not infringe any rules that the centre may have on smoking.   6.4 Alcohol should not be consumed by staff on day visits. However, it is permissible in moderation on longer residential visits provided that at least one member of staff should remain in a position to drive should this be necessary.   7. Health & Safety Guidelines Relating to Specific Environments   7.1 The Coast   7.1.1 All staff and students should wear hard hats where fieldwork is undertaken beneath cliffs whether they are visibly unstable or not.   7.1.2 A careful check should be made of the state of the tide, particularly where fieldwork is undertaken close to cliffs and headlands. Fieldwork should only be undertaken in these areas within 3 hours either side of low tide (neaps) or 2 hours either side of low tide (springs).   7.1.3 Only GCSE and A-level students should undertake fieldwork that involves entering the sea and this should only be done in calm conditions under close supervision and not more than a few metres from the shore to a depth not exceeding half a metre. No fieldwork should be done in the sea off beaches where bathing is not permitted or where the beach is known to shelve steeply. Students should not enter the sea barefooted.   7.1.4 No student should be permitted to undertake coastal fieldwork on a visit organised by the school without continuous supervision. In situations where several students wish to undertake personal enquiries on the coast, they should work in groups and under supervision.   7.2: Rivers   7.2.1 The choice of river for any kind of fieldwork must be made very carefully. Even the most innocuous looking stream can quickly turn into a ranging torrent and pose a very serious risk.   7.2.2 Only GCSE and A-level students should undertake fieldwork that involves entering a river. Rivers that are used for this purpose must not have a depth exceeding half a metre and must not be more than 30 metres wide with a current not exceeding 1 metre per second. Students should not enter the river barefooted. Fieldwork in rivers must be avoided following protracted periods of rainfall.   7.2.3 Fieldwork on the floodplain only is permissible for other groups, although care should be exercised in approaching the banks, particularly where they are liable to collapse through undercutting. Ideally, students should remain on well-defined footpaths away from the channel.   7.3: Upland Areas   7.3.1 Students in years 7, 8 and 9 should not undertake fieldwork at heights in excess of 1000ft. For GCSE and A-level students a height of 2000ft should not be exceeded[1]. Furthermore, fieldwork should not be undertaken in locations which are more than 1 hour from an easily accessible road and emergency transport.   7.3.2 Fieldwork should not be undertaken on areas of loose scree where the angle of inclination is in excess of 30 degrees and/or where the scree cannot be easily accessed from stable ground either side.   7.3.3. Students conducting fieldwork on scree slopes or close to rock faces should where hard hats.   7.3.4 Students should keep to clearly defined footpaths and avoid digressing on to land either side except where closely supervised for conducting fieldwork.   7.3.5 Staff should ensure that students are properly dressed for fieldwork in upland areas; that they have sufficient warm clothing (hat, gloves, pullover), waterproof jacket and trousers, and hiking boots. Students should also carry plenty of food and drink.   7.3.6 Students undertaking fieldwork in these areas are permitted to carry mobile phones.   7.4: Wetlands (Salt marshes, tidal estuaries, lakes and reservoirs)   7.4.1 Similar rules apply to wetlands as to the coast. Work undertaken on saltmarshes and around tidal estuaries should be done only after careful consideration is given to the state of the tide.   7.4.2 No fieldwork that involves wading should be permitted in these environments. Students should remain on or close to clearly defined footpaths.   7.4.3 Fieldwork should not be undertaken in areas that become isolated at high tide or in other areas which are more than half an hour's walk from the road.   7.5: Urban Environments   7.5.1 Extreme caution and close supervision is needed at all times when fieldwork is being undertaken along busy streets where there is traffic.   7.5.2 Fieldwork should avoid areas of towns and cities where there is a high level of risk. These may be defined as: wards with high levels of social deprivation, ghettos, industrial areas and areas with known social problems.   7.6: Other Environments and General Guidelines   7.6.1 It is clearly not possible to give a comprehensive list of guidelines for conducting fieldwork in every possible environment, although those listed above are those most commonly visited on a geography fieldtrip. Where fieldwork is undertaken in other situations, there is no substitute for common sense and the essence of the guidelines outlined above can easily be transcribed. Nevertheless, there are certain guidelines which can be applied to all types of fieldwork:   q       Undertake a careful risk assessment of the environment chosen and design alternative plans to accommodate unforeseen circumstances   q       Take head counts at regular intervals   q       Take careful note of the students' well-being and ensure that the work done remains appropriate to the learning objectives   q       Always have the students' safety and enjoyment at the forefront of any activity [1]  Except for the ascent of  Y Garn on the UVI glaciation field visit to Snowdonia which remains within easy road access and can be climbed with relatively little risk. There are no other ascents of summits in excess of 2000ft.

Visitors Fieldwork Exam Results Inspection Report