Geography Excellence

The Department runs an annual field trip for Year 10/11to Grasmere to complete Unit 4 Controlled Assessment which investigates the impacts of tourism on the Lake District National Park.

In July this year 13 of our students will be involved in the National Parks 'Fix the Fells Campaign'.  The main aim of this initiative is to support schools in delivering the topics of footpath erosion and working towards a sustainable Lake District environment.  It is a great opportunity for field work at KS3 and to involve the pupils and Geography Department in working in partnership beyond the school.  This involves a 1 day field trip to Gummers How and a 1 day fieldtrip to Sandscale Hawes.

In October 2009, 3 staff and 24 year 11 GCSE Geography pupils went on an international field trip to Iceland. In October 2011, 3 staff and 27 Year 11 Pupils will again be going to Iceland. This is an exciting opportunity to visit one of the most stunning and geologically active countries in the world!  The main aim of the trip will be to gain first-hand experience of subject material that is relevant to their studies and experience the awe and wonder of Iceland.  We are sure it will provide pupils with inspiration and experiences that will stay with them for life!

The Department also featured in a programme for Teachers TV in 2006/07 entitled: 'How to Teach Sustainable Development'.  This focused on the collaboration between the Geography and Citizenship Department to produce joint cross-curricular schemes of work.

Provisional Itinerary: Iceland

Monday 24thOctober:
Transfer from airport to accommodation

Tuesday 25thOctober:
Visit Pingvellir National Park, a primary site of Iceland's geological and historial inheritance.  Walk through the Almannagja fault to the Iclandic Parliament.  Transfer to the south along SogRiverto to the Kerid crater.  Visit the Gullfoss waterfalls as well as the geothermal area with its hot springs and active geysers.  Onwards to Fljotshlio for evening walk and overnight stay

Wednesday 26th October:
South Shore - Glacier Walk: Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, two of the numerous waterfalls along the route.  Put on crampons to walk on the tongue of the Solheimajokull glacier.  The adventure contines towards the village of Vik and Dyrholaey, a magnificent cliff that projects out into the ocean.  Overnight stay in Fljotshlio.

Thursday 28th October:
South Shore - Hverageroi (egg boiling) - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik: Visit Hveragerdi a Greenhouse village, and the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant.  Take a refreshing bath in the reknowned Blue Lagoon.  Volcano show (supplement) and overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Friday 29th October:
Breakfast at hotel.  Transfer to local airport.