Fieldwork in Primary Geography
All you want to know about fieldwork - progression in local fieldwork, health and safety, school grounds, local and residential learning ideas.
You can also visit our fieldwork page for information about publications, resources and websites offering fieldwork advice for all key stages. Here you can download the first part in the GA's Fieldwork File series, 'Setting the standards - for safe, successful fieldwork for all', a free poster which sets out a code of practice for fieldwork across all key stages.
The GA's Fieldwork File: For the primary years, priced £27.99/£19.99 GA members, is packed with useful advice and is well worth considering as part of your subject leader's resource collection.
Risk Assessment
Below is an actual risk assessment in regular use for a Riverside walk for upper juniors. It should be viewed as a model and the template can be adapted for your own use. At first glance it looks like a lot of paperwork but it does reflect the proper preparation and thought processes professionals should naturally go through when preparing for an off-site activity.
Using the Local Area
To avoid repetition in local area work it's worth spending a staff meeting or time on a development day familiarising colleagues with the local area’s features and possibilities. This can be done simply by walking round the area and taking some useful photos for classroom use at the same time. Often teaching assistants have good local knowledge, which can help. Chapter 13 'Exploring the Local Area' in the Primary Geography Handbook contains detailed help. Use the document below as the basis for progression in local area work.
Progression in Using the Local Area
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note: this file requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have this you can get it free from the Adobe website.
Young Geographers Project
The GA is leading an innovative project to develop active locality fieldwork using the concept of Living Geography from Foundation to Key Stage 3. Several case studies, each including downloadable resources, are available in the Young Geographers project area.
If you'd like to chat to other primary geography co-ordinators and subject leaders, why not join the Geography Champions Ning to participate in online discussions and find out about face-to-face meetings in your area.
(Updated 22.07.09)
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