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Discover More
for primary schools
Make learning unforgettable
Whether it's Science, Computing, Geography or Maths, Discover More courses explore the link between hands-on experiences and theory, creating a deeper understanding of the subject for pupils.
Mixing practical study with adventure activities makes the learning process meaningful, accessible and fun - see for yourself what a difference it makes as pupils discover a world outside the classroom.
IOL Field Studies Professional Practice Group
PGL is a member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL), and supports the Field Studies Professional Practice Group (PPG) – a subgroup of the IOL - whose current chair is PGL’s product support manager. The Field Studies PPG is an organisation whose members are engaged in, or have an interest in delivering field studies programmes or environmental education. Its aims are to share good practice and promote field studies and environmental education using the experience and resources at its disposal.
Study modules
Choose from our range of tried and tested study modules according to your group’s learning needs. Whether you’re looking for specific subject focus or a cross-curricular course - we’ll give you all the support you need to arrange the best combination.
Your pupils will have all the equipment they need for practical, hands-on learning and our specialist staff ensure your specific objectives are met, without the children even realising it’s work!
Geography
Coastal Processes and Features
During this activity groups will be introduced to the coastal environment, including coastal landforms and the physical processes that have led to their formation. Groups will also be introduced to the concept of coastal management and how the coast is used by humans. Fieldwork opportunities include field sketching, longshore drift measurement or a beach profile looking at sediment and gradient of the beach.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Geology, Rocks and Fossils
This activity gives participants the opportunity to learn about the rock cycle and fossil formation through observing local sedimentary rocks and hunting for fossils. Topics such as sea level change, tectonic movement and extinctions are covered as is the detail of the formation of sedimentary rock and the different varieties locally present.
Available at: Osmington Bay
Local Historical Exploration
Pupils investigate change over time and the differences in the lives of different social classes, in terms of technology, leisure pursuits and living conditions. They do this by visiting a local castle (Carisbrooke Castle from Little Canada and Corfe Castle from Osmington Bay) and examining a relevant period in history.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Map Skills
The beginning of this activity helps participants to recap their map skills by allowing them to create their own maps taking into consideration scale, compass points, symbols and grid references. Once they have completed that task they are split into small teams and start the Map Extravaganza. Map extravaganza is a series of challenges and games for the teams in which they work on skills such as orienteering, 6 figure grid references, measuring distance and taking bearings.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
River Investigation
During this activity groups investigate a river from source to mouth. Concepts such as the water cycle, river features, erosion, transportation, deposition, land use and human impact are discussed. Data collected includes width, depth, sediment size and velocity – all of which are recorded on hand held PCs.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Settlement Investigation
In this activity the group will investigate a local settlement. Methods used to explore the settlement can include field sketches, land use mapping, digital photography, traffic counts, environmental assessments and surveys. The group throughout will learn about the settlement’s characteristics and its development.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Maths
Wire Flyer - Zip Wire
A Zip Wire session provides data including distance travelled and time taken in order to calculate speed using algebra.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
Tower Time - Abseiling
Pupils use trigonometry to analyse data from their Abseiling session and produce an annotated presentation of the activity.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
Heartbeat - Giant Swing
A rope-based activity produces the opportunity to collect data which can then be turned into a presentation showing how pulse rates change during the activity.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
Aero Noughts - Aeroball
Data from an Aeroball session, such as shots and goals, provides material for analysis in terms of ratios and percentages.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Marker Trail - Orienteering
Based on an Orienteering session, pupils explore angles and distances in order to design a shortest route.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
NEW! Tunnelling for Numbers - Tunnel Trail
Pupils collect number cards as they navigate through an underground maze of tunnels and must then complete a series of numerical challenges.
Available at: Osmington Bay
NEW! On Target - Archery
Pupils learn about averages, percentages and fractions as they calculate how accurate they've been.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
NEW! Build 'em Up - Raft/Buggy Building
On water or land, pupils design a raft or buggy which they use to complete a series of challenges. Data collected is then applied to distance/speed/time calculations.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
Science
Everyday Chemistry
Participants conduct a series of simple, safe experiments, investigating common-place chemical processes that occur at home, at school and on centre. They will be introduced to the concepts of chemical states, reactions, variables and waste products. They will begin to understand how many chemical reactions are taking place naturally within their environment and within household technology.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
Forensic Investigation
Throughout their investigation, pupils are introduced to real life forensic science techniques. They work to decipher a series of clues and distinguish between conclusive and suggestive evidence. Methods of investigation include fingerprinting using a range of chemicals, chemical and pH testing, observation, microscope work and code breaking.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
Minibeast Safari
During this activity participants study invertebrates in a variety of habitats. When searching for the invertebrates they investigate concepts such as feeding relationships, life cycles and adaptations and use dichotomous keys to identify and classify the invertebrates they have found.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Rockpooling
This activity explores a rocky shore close to the centre. Groups have the opportunity to find and observe organisms in the different zones of the rocky shore. They will identify the organisms using dichotomous keys, discuss their adaptations and relate them to the zone of the rocky shore that they were found in.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Computing
Animation
Your pupils use stop-frame and digital animation to create a short film clip featuring an imaginary character - planning, designing and creating all aspects of the character’s movements.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay, Winmarleigh Hall
Introduction to Coding
This module is designed for pupils with little or no knowledge of coding. They discuss coding and computer control, their uses in everyday life and learn the principles of coding. These new skills are then used to control a virtual character though a series of tasks.
Available at: Winmarleigh Hall
Coding with Robots
Pupils use computer software to create, test and modify instructions which control the movements of a robot.
Available at: Winmarleigh Hall
Game Coding
This module is for pupils with some experience of coding. They create their own app-style game and design the challenges and obstacles in their games. This module encourages pupils to be creative and use their coding knowledge to de-bug scripts.
Available at: Winmarleigh Hall
PGL TV
Working in small teams, pupils take a range of roles and create their own music video. They then film and edit the piece as part of a music video TV show.
Available at: Winmarleigh Hall
Activities
To complement your studies, PGL’s unmissable adventure activities and busy programme of evening entertainment help ensure each child has even more to take home.
A typical itinerary for this course
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07.30-09.00 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | |
| 09.00-12.00 | Activities: Fencing & Orienteering | Study: Animation | Study: Map Skills | Activities: Abseiling & Archery | |
| 12.00-14.00 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | |
| 14.00-17.00 | 15.30 onwards - arrive on centre, unpack & orientation | Study: Minibeast Safari | Activities: Zip Wire & Canoeing | Activity: Raft Building | Depart centre after lunch |
| 17.00-19.00 | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | |
| 19.00-21.00 | Evening Entertainment: Scavenger Hunt |
Evening Entertainment: The Great Egg Race |
Evening Entertainment: Talent Show |
Evening Entertainment: Disco |
Learning outcomes
Our courses follow themes designed for KS2 pupils; our instructors are trained and experienced in enabling your pupils to make links between the subject they study in school and the practical implications in the ‘real’ world – for example their experiences on a PGL adventure base.
Above all, we work with you from the outset to establish what your aims and objectives are; we then timetable the appropriate study modules and organise complementary adventure activities, often with direct links between the activities and the study.
- Data collected during outdoor activity sessions is incorporated into selected study modules, giving your pupils opportunities to develop a range of skills including investigation, observation, prediction, recording, measuring and forming conclusions.
- All our Computing modules are fully integrated into the whole PGL experience. Depending on which module they study, pupils will creatively interpret their stay at PGL or analyse data collected on site.
- Geography modules give KS2 pupils a practical introduction to the themes and areas of study in inspiring PGL locations, which offer different habitats and great learning potential.
Work can be recorded in our ICT suites / on tablets and form the basis of further work in school on your pupils’ return.
Search for your ideal centre:
Location
Barton Hall, South Devon
Bawdsey Manor, Suffolk
Beam House, North Devon
Boreatton Park, Shropshire
Caythorpe Court, Lincolnshire
Dalguise, Perthshire
Liddington, Wiltshire
Little Canada, Isle of Wight
Marchants Hill, Surrey
Osmington Bay, Dorset
Pestalozzi, East Sussex
Tregoyd House, Powys
Windmill Hill, East Sussex
Winmarleigh Hall, Lancashire
Shortcuts
“The instructors really helped to make this stay an enjoyable and educational trip. All the staff on the centre were very polite and helpful. The activities the children completed were both educational and fun.”
St Pauls CofE Primary School