Cottenham Through aspiration and endeavour, we flourish
Cottenham Through aspiration and endeavour, we flourish
14th March 2024
Dear Parents/Carers
GCSE Geography Fieldwork Trip – May 2024
I am writing to you about the GCSE Geography Fieldwork trip that will take place in May 2024.
We will be travelling to Walton on the Naze to fulfil the mandatory fieldwork element of the AQA Geography GCSE. It is vital to expose our students to a range of techniques used to gather data in the field while also using this valuable opportunity to reinforce our classroom teaching.
I have outlined below the day that each geography teaching group will complete their field visit.
10A1 – Mr Goodey – Thursday 16th May 10B1 – Mr Abbott – Friday 17th May
10A2 – Mr Abbott – Thursday 16th May 10B2 – Mrs Clyde – Friday 17th May
Students will need to be at school at 7.45am prompt to travel to The Naze beach by coach. We will spend the morning assessing the impact of coastal management and human impacts on the coastline before relocating to the contrasting environment of Walton-on-the-Naze to collect further data in the afternoon. We will leave Walton-on-the Naze at 4.00pm and we expect to arrive back at the school around 6.00pm. Please make arrangements for your child to get home safely at this time.
- Students will need to bring a packed lunch and snacks for the day.
- They will be fully briefed and prepared before they undertake the fieldwork.
- Students will be working in small mixed groups and will stay within this group for the entire day.
- Students will need to wear sensible clothing for undertaking fieldwork on a beach. They are advised to wear wellington boots (preferably), walking boots or sturdy shoes. (Trainers are not suitable). Other appropriate clothing is weather dependent e.g. a waterproof jacket, trousers, sun hat and sun cream.
Following the fieldwork day, students will write-up their findings in class and at home.
The Education Act 1996 requires that any activity taking place in school time must be free except for the cost of board and lodging. However, the school is at liberty to ask for voluntary contributions. It must be emphasised, however, that an individual’s place is not dependent upon his/her ability to pay. We would therefore ask for a voluntary contribution of £18.00 to cover the cost of transport, insurance and administration.
If you give your consent for your son/daughter to take part in the Geography Fieldwork trip please log in to your ParentMail account to pay the voluntary contribution of £18.00 by Thursday 28th March. This is our preferred method for receiving payments.
If you are unable to make payments online, please return the permission form attached, along with payment, in a sealed envelope marked with your child’s name, form and trip name to Mr Goodey no later than Thursday 28th March. Cheques should be made payable to “Astrea Academy Trust” and have the student’s name, class and trip name written of the reverse. Payments in cash are discouraged, but if it is necessary for you to make payments in this way, then please enclose the exact amount.
We will be taking contact and medical details from our school records. It is your responsibility as a parent/carer to ensure that the information we hold is up to date.
Yours sincerely
Mr Carl Goodey, Geography Department