The Geography department here at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn offer a wide range of fieldwork opportunities for learners of all ages.

Key Stage 3

During the summer term of Year 9 learners carry out fieldwork in north Ceredigion on the River Wyre. Working in groups they use a range of equipment to measure a number of river features and compare two different sites on the river. They measure and record some basic data such as river width, load size and load shape as well as more complex data including river depth intervals, flow rates/velocity and gradient. The added benefit of this fieldwork is that
they also meet a number of numeracy elements from the Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF).

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

During Key Stage 4 learners who opt to follow GCSE Geography get the exciting opportunity of an overnight residential fieldwork where they further get to develop their wider skills in addition to meeting the requirements of their GCSE geographical enquiries. In the past we have completed enquiries into geomorphic landforms at Gwbert Patch, the sustainability of coastal defences in Borth, compared the River Rheidol and River Teifi to theoretical
models to see how closely they correlate and have even compared zones in Carmarthen and Swansea to land-use models – so there really is something for every type of Geographer!
With the new WJEC GCSE course starting in June for current Year 9 learners, opportunities for fieldwork will only increase further. This highlights the importance that the exam boards place on this essential skill, and learners will now have the opportunity to complete two fieldwork enquiries – one in a physical geography context and one in a human geography context. This will bring tremendous benefits to their results as ‘learning in the field’ helps theories come to life and the knowledge developed tends to be retained for longer than It would be had it been taught in just the classroom (making revision easier!)

Key Stage 5 (AS/A2)

In addition to Cardiff Bay and Gwaun Valley fieldwork, we are hoping to offer an international fieldtrip to New York in collaboration with the Art and Photography departments in the next academic year – watch this space!

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