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Geography GCSE
for secondary schools
2019 - 2 nights from £98+VAT
Getting to grips with fieldwork
Bring your GCSE group to one of the finest field studies locations in the UK for a PGL Field Studies course.
Tailor-made to meet the requirements of your curriculum, including the new geography specification, our courses provide the conditions and the facilities for your students to develop the required fieldwork skills.
Our experienced centre team lead each session – with a maximum group size of 12 - and take responsibility for all aspects of health and safety during fieldwork.
Study modules
Our courses are tailored to meet the requirements of the new geography curriculums in England and Wales (first teaching in 2016).
A choice of modules gives students opportunities to carry out the investigations relevant to the specifications of the examination board they are following.
Human Geography
Retail Settlements Today AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
Students investigate the function and layout of a retail settlement using various geographical techniques. They also investigate the location of services in relation to each other. The history of the area is discussed to demonstrate the changing function of the town over time.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Rural Settlements AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
Students investigate the changing function of a village over time and the issues associated with rural settlements. Geographical techniques are used to formulate an image of how an area has changed over time. Evidence of the impact of other settlements and the rural employment levels and type are discussed.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Tourism Investigation Cambridge, OCR
Using different methods of data collection, students explore a tourist resort and consider the factors involved in its development, such as the effects of recreational pressure on local employment, conflicting land use, the physical environment and traffic congestion.
Available at: Osmington Bay
Urban Settlements AQA, Cambridge, OCR
By producing land use classification maps of town centres students are able to recognise patterns in retail settlements and settlement function. Development of towns over time can be demonstrated through a range of data collection techniques.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Physical Geography
Coastal Management AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
Coastal erosion and the conflicts which arise as a result of it are examined along with the options available to manage it. Different types of coastal defences and management systems are investigated and students discuss future coastal management strategies.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Coastal Processes and Features AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
With reference to nearby examples, students discuss the formation of coastal features and how they have evolved. Features include stumps, stacks, caves and wave-cut platforms. A beach profile can be constructed if required.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Rivers and Fluvial Systems AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
The form and functions of rivers are studied in this river investigation, including meanders, floodplains and smaller formations such as point bars and river cliffs. A number of measurements such as width, depth, velocity and sediment size can be collected at a variety of sample sites.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Geology
Geology, Rocks and Fossils AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
Students examine various rocks formed by different environmental conditions, hunt for fossils and learn about the tectonic events that have shaped the land.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
People, Rocks and Landscapes AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
Visiting a number of igneous rock localities students will see how geology as a natural resource can have a massive impact on the environment and character of an area. Geological features can generate income but can also produce areas of natural beauty and scientific importance, thereby introducing conflict over a variety of issues.
Available at: Little Canada
Biology
Comparative Ecological Investigation AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
Undertaking a comparative investigation of different habitats, students examine how plant communities are affected by biotic and abiotic factors. Students also identify plants and their adaptations.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Marine Zonation AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
At a chosen local beach students explore marine life. Starting in the splash zone and working through the upper and lower intertidal zones, students are encouraged to study and collect as many organisms as possible and also discuss their adaptations and the stress factors affecting these numbers, zone by zone.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Stream Ecology AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
Changes in the course of a river from source to mouth are investigated with a focus on the change in communities of invertebrates. Pollution, land use and management are examined as factors for change.
Available at: Little Canada
Woodland Ecology AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR
Students make comparative studies of coniferous and deciduous or mixed woodland. The role of woodland in the nitrogen and carbon cycles is discussed along with expected changes in diversity within physical parameters.
Available at: Osmington Bay
Environmental Science
Freshwater Pollution Cambridge, Edexcel
Biotic and abiotic factors are used in analysing pollution levels in a freshwater system. Students focus on changes in invertebrate communities across multiple sites and examine the reasons for the changes including land use and management.
Available at: Little Canada, Osmington Bay
Activities
The PGL Adventure Bonus
Choose from our popular on-site adventure activities, such as zip wire, giant swing, trapeze, climbing and abseiling, to complement your study sessions and tailor-make your course to your requirements.
A typical itinerary for this course
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07.30-09.00 | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | |
| 09.00-12.00 | ¾ day: Local River Study - morning session | ¾ day: Coastal Processes and Formations - morning session | Activity: Raft Building | |
| 12.00-14.00 | Packed lunch | Packed lunch | Lunch at centre | |
| 14.00-17.00 | 15.30 onwards - arrive on centre, unpack and orientation | ¾ day: Local River Study - afternoon session Activity: Giant Swing |
¾ day: Coastal Processes and Formations - afternoon session Activity: Zip Wire |
Depart centre after lunch |
| 17.00-19.00 | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | |
| 19.00-21.00 | Evening Entertainment PGL Sports Night |
Follow-up session | Follow-up session |
Learning outcomes
Your needs – your choice.
Because we tailor our geography field studies courses to meet your requirements, the outcomes are very much down to what you prioritise. Whether it’s a case of introducing a new topic, reinforcing work done in school, revising a range of topics or even focussing on SPaG in preparation for exams – it’s up to you.
You could leave with a controlled assessment completed – talk to us about running this for you.
Evidence and data from fieldwork done at PGL will form the basis of solid case studies for future examinations.
Your pupils will leave with more confidence to face their exams from their hands-on work and follow-up sessions which will have consolidated their learning.
The additional adventure challenges, if you choose to include them, will enhance the overall experience, breaking up study periods with teambuilding and individual confidence-building activities.
Barton Hall
A great location near Torquay and popular with groups of all ages. There are many blue flag beaches close by and Dartmoor is also within easy reach.
Bawdsey Manor
A beautiful new adventure centre for secondary schools in the South East and East Anglia.
Beam House
Near Bideford in north Devon, the surf school at Westward Ho! is close by and there are plenty of land-based activities in the centre grounds.
Boreatton Park
There are over 250 acres for you and your students to enjoy, as well as some great accommodation options and excellent facilities.
Caythorpe Court
A fantastic countryside setting boasting 65 acres of grounds, packed full of adventure activities for your students to try out.
Dalguise
Located just five miles north of Dunkeld, there’s plenty to explore in and around this stunning centre, set in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
Hillcrest
A cosy welcome awaits you at this former fishing lodge near the River Wye. The small size and homely atmosphere is perfect for younger students.
Liddington
Minutes from the M4, near Swindon, the convenient location makes it one of our most popular centres. There are some great facilities too.
Little Canada
A fantastic choice for watersports lovers. Set on the banks of the beautiful Wootton Creek, we have private access to the water.
Llwyn Filly
Close to the Welsh border town of Hay-on-Wye and situated on the edge of the stunning Brecon Beacons, giving immediate access to the mountains.
Marchants Hill
Conveniently close to London but in a countryside setting, there’s plenty of adventure in the wooded grounds and beyond for your students to discover.
Osmington Bay
There’s direct access to the beach, thrilling watersports on the sea at the nearby Portland Bay, as well as a range of exhilarating adventure activities.
Tregoyd House
Enjoy canoeing the picturesque River Wye at this beautiful centre in the heart of the Black Mountains. There’s so much to explore, see and do.
Windmill Hill
Located in the scenic Sussex Downs, close to the coast and not far from London, it’s a popular destination for secondary school groups.
Winmarleigh Hall
A beautiful Victorian mansion house set within 50 acres of grounds. It’s a popular location in the north west of England, near the forest of Bowland.
Shortcuts
Revision Weekends
Revision the PGL way. Take your group away for a weekend of revision combined with activity breaks keeping them motivated, focussed & engaged.
2018 just £84+VAT per person!
"Osmington Bay is a glorious setting for GCSE Geography Field Studies with a wide variety of coastal features are close by. The Field Studies Instructors are enthusiastic and have an excellent understanding of the local geography. PGL are well resourced, and the Field Studies well planned, to enable all study objectives to be met.
The site/PGL is exceptionally well organised and the friendly and helpful staff make leading a school group a totally stress free and enjoyable experience for all. Our students and staff loved every minute."
The Cowplain School