Geography / Geology

Geography / Geology

The Royal Geographical Society defines Geography as the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live. Geology is related, mostly focussing on the formation of the rocks, mountains and various crusts of the earth.

Geography combine the physical and human aspects of life and is concerned with the understanding of ‘the dynamics of cultures, societies and economies, and the environment’.

The RGS points out that Geography informs us about:

  • The places and communities in which we live and work
  • Our natural environments and the pressures they face
  • The interconnectedness of the world and our communities within it
  • How and why the world is changing, globally and locally
  • How our individual and societal
  • actions contribute to those changes
  • The choices that exist in managing our world for the future
  • The importance of location in business and decision-making

Most visits associated with geography involve the study of the physical aspects of geography. Many secondary schools organise field studies experiences and visits to coalmines, quarries, mountainous areas, flat lands, geological digs. For the political, social, people-orientated aspects of geography there are even greater opportunities. Enterprising and imaginative geography teachers can, and , do arrange visits to specific museums and other venues. Transport museums are probably the most popular. But census records, military records, factory records and visits to factories figure prominently in some geography teachers’ syllabuses.

Main organisations:

Geographical Association

Royal Geographical Association (with the Institute of British Geographers)

The Geological Society

Geologists' Association who organise the annual Festival of Geology

British Geological Survey

National Association of Mining Organisations

Inclusion: NASEN

Thought of visiting?

Royal Geographical Society London and Regional Events

English Heritage

The Field Studies Council

Earth Centres

Historic Scotland

Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre, Cockermouth

Museum of British Road Transport, Coventry

The National Tramway Museum, Matlock

Maryport Maritime Museum

National Railway Museum, York

East Anglian Railway Museum, Essex

Kidderminster Railway Museum

Stephenson Railway Museum, Tyne and Wear Museums

Ironbridge Gorge Museums

The London Canal Museum

The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne

The National Slate Museum

The National Stone Museum

Venues for this Curriculum

A working cattle farm on the urban fringe of Huddersfield. We promote healthy food growing in the community and wildlife conservation, with indoor and outdoor learning facilities.

Foxburrow Farm is a mixed arable farm with a mosaic of wildlife habitats including ponds, woodlands, meadows and an old orchard alongside the cropped fields. The education facilities are centred on the traditional farmyard and include the barn classroom, toilets, covered activity areas and wildlife garden.

Whether you want to just sit and watch the world go by or indulge in activities we have something for you at Clyne Farm.

Originally the Police Station and Courthouse, the Museum is opposite St. Mary's Church in the centre of Axminster. Visitors may discover the old police cells which have now been incorporated into the Arts Cafe adjacent to the Museum.

Extensive area of upland heath

Covering as much as 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of heather-covered hills with stunning views of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Welsh hills, this is an important place for wildlife, geology and archaeology.

4 acres of scenic road and off road riding trails with fantastic range of cycles available for hire and a reassuring breakdown rescue service offered too! 

The trails range in difficulty to suit everyone from beginners to experts.

Explore a wild garden

Fyne Court was once a formal garden based on the Arcadian design. Over time the garden became wilder!

Bird adventure trail, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Living things and their habitats, Nature sensory explorers, Orchards (food and farming), Marvellous Meadows, Seasonal investigation, Seasonal crafts

Fifty acres of lakes, temples, cascades, tranquil woodland walks, formal terraces, vivid colours and views that take your breath away...

Bird adventure trail, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Living things and their habitats, Nature sensory explorers, Orchards (food and farming), Marvellous Meadows, Seasonal investigation, Seasonal crafts

Cors Dyfi is a wonderful little nature reserve that is teaming with wildlife for most of the year. This is where the Dyfi Osprey Project is situated.

Westhay Moor is a beautiful nature reserve to explore with its shimmering lakes and reed beds, birds singing and signs of life all around.

Our fantastic new Visitor Centre offers a modern base for your visit. Discover a wide range of Environmental Education programmes and also visit the nearby water treatment works to learn about the water cycle.

EYFS: 

Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art

Key Stage 1:

Visit our working arable farm to learn about food production and sustainable farming methods to help our farmland wildlife. Find different habitats and understand the effects of breaching the sea wall and the salt marsh created.

Adapted for KS1-4:

FARMING AND WILDLIFE...

We deliver tailor-made sessions for EYFS to KS4, on various topics including minibeasts, habitats, sustainability and woodland management, through investigations of our ancient woodland, reservoir, pond and grassland.

EYFS: 

Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art

Key Stage 1:

Our Education Centre at Magor Marsh is able to cater for groups of up to 32 children and for a variety of age ranges from pre-school and beyond, including teacher training days at all times of year! All our activities have been designed specifically for schools by qualified teachers and a teacher and forest school leader is available at the centre to discuss your individual requirements.

Chafford Gorges Nature Park offers a variety of activities for schools and nurseries. Topics covered: Habitats Studies, Ponds, Bugs, Plants, Rock and Soils, Bush craft and Den-building, Birdwatching. We have an on-site classroom, toilets, gift shop and more.

EYFS: 

Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art

Fingringhoe Wick is one of the county’s top wildlife sites. Uncover the secrets of woodlands, meadows, ponds, heathland and the Colne Estuary. Our varied hands-on Environmental Education programme caters to all ages, from bug hunts for the early years to vegetation sampling for secondary pupils. 

EYFS: 

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses one of Europe's great civic art collections. Since its 2003–06 refurbishment, the museum has been the most popular free-to-enter visitor attraction in Scotland, and the most visited museum in the United Kingdom outside London.

Magnificent medieval fortress of the Welsh Marches

A stark symbol of power, Chirk Castle was completed in 1310 during the reign of the conquering Edward I to subdue the last princes of Wales. Built on an outcrop above the meeting point of the rivers Dee and Ceiriog, the imposing silhouette of the castle was a brooding statement of English intent in these disputed lands.

An imposing Tudor house set in beautiful gardens with a collection of Catholic treasures

Coughton Court has been the home of the Throckmorton family since 1409. It holds a unique place in English history with its close connections to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

The Natural History Museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 80 million items within five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology and zoology.

This restored historic 18th-century cottage near Glasgow vividly recreates the living and working conditions of a typical handloom weaver. See how a traditional tartan was made 200 years ago, completely by hand using original equipment in a unique setting.

This park provides an attractive gateway into Sandwell being located off the busy Hagley Road Junction, with beautiful Shakespeare Gardens. Work on a national lottery application is currently underway to restore the Grade II listed bandstand, Grade II listed house and the landscape.

Faskally Wood is an extensive woodland area within Tay Forest Park on the banks of Loch Dunmore, approximately one mile north west of Pitlochry.

Discover more than just history

Leeds Castle welcomes school visits from all over the world, all year round. As part of our charitable mission we offer special subsidised rates to schools from Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Essex and London. 

The new National Curriculum

Attenborough Nature Centre is an award-winning education centre and visitor attraction located at Attenborough Nature Reserve, a nationally important wildlife site close to Nottingham and Derby.

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Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip

A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.