Year 11 Geography Fieldtrips
Quality of Life Survey
Fieldwork and careful observation of the world is the basis of Geography. The curriculum chosen is also good for raising issues which help to make students think and prepare research skills which will be of use in further study or at work.
One relevant issue surrounds the concept of “Quality of Life”. Therefore, the Y11 Geography groups are studying “Quality of Life” in various wards within Abingdon. The photograph shows some of the students looking at one of the sites chosen for study.
To describe and try to explain the differences observed between various sites is quite a challenge. Their write-up is going on now as a Controlled Assessment which contributes to their GCSE grades.
Year 7 and the Local Area
The Geography Department believes that it is important for pupils to know about their home area before they study Britain, Europe or the wider world.
Therefore, a trip to the Vale of White Horse gives them important points of reference and ideas of scale. The visit, which took place at the end of September, has been organised for many years but this year it incorporated new elements such as field sketching at Abingdon, to show the site of the town, and a walk to the spring at Knighton.
Unfortunately, the weather was not good this year and it was hardly possible to see the Vale from White Horse Hill. However, the pupils all enjoyed the work and the photograph shows them crossing a stile on the way to the spring at the base of the Chalk escarpment.
The Geography staff are grateful to colleagues from the Y7 tutor team who helped make the day a success.