FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL
GCSE Edexcel A Options
Slapton Ley Field Centre
GCSE Geography
Edexcel A Fieldwork
Options
Each day will include the relevant fieldwork skills as outlined by the specification and shown
below the different day resumes.
Day Resumes
Task: Coastal landscapes – investigation of coastal processes through landscape evidence
Coastal landforms and processes
Start Bay and
Mattiscombe
Students will compare and contrast two different sections of coastline, one affected by
Full day
the dominant process of erosion and one where deposition is greater. The fieldwork may
include beach profiles, sediment analysis, cliff profiles and lithology of beaches allowing a
comparision to geology maps to understand how are beaches are formed and affected by
processes. Analysis and discussion of the data will allow students to make links between
the different processes and why some areas are more favourable for settlements to
develop.
Coastal processes and management
Students will investigate the impact of coastal processes and human activity on the Start
Bay coastline. Fieldwork will include beach profiles to allow understanding of the natural
processes impacting on the coast and an investigation into the lithology of beaches
allowing a comparision to geology maps to understand how are beaches are formed.
Students will also carry out cost-benefit/ bi-polar analysis to evaluate the current
management strategies in place along the coast. A discussion will be held on the future of
the A379 and the implications this has for the surrounding area.
Start Bay
Full day
Fieldwork Skills
Fieldwork data collection must include at least:
- one quantitative fieldwork method to measure beach morphology and sediment characteristics.
- one qualitative fieldwork method to record landforms that make up the coastal landscape.
Human interaction: students must develop their understanding of the implications of coastal processes for
people living in the coastal zone.
Secondary Data:
- A geology map e.g. BGS Geology of Britain viewer.
- One other secondary source.
FSC Slapton Ley, Slapton, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2QP
Tel: 01548 580466
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.field-studies-council.org/centres/slapton/slaptonley.aspx
Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW
FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL
GCSE Edexcel A Options
Slapton Ley Field Centre
Task: River landscapes – investigation of change in a river channel.
Rivers - Downstream changes
Students carry out an investigation on changing channel characteristics with distance
downstream on the River Harbourne or River Lemon and consider how variables
interrelate. By the end of the river investigation all students will have developed river
fieldwork skills, including qualitative and quantitative data collection methods (for
example skitching and discharge measurements), in addition to observing the river
landforms present at different sites along the river’s course. Data will then be collated
and analysed by students allowing for comparison with the Environment Agency flood
risk map to identify how river processes affect the risk of flooding.
Rivers - Flood Management
Students will investigate a catchment area focusing on the problems posed by river
flooding, ways of managing these problems and ways to assess the effectiveness of these
measures. The fieldwork involves taking comparative river measurements at managed
and unmanaged sites (including discharge), field sketching river landforms and how they
influence flooding, evaluating existing management strategies and considering areas at
risk from flood damage. Students will have the opportunity to compare their results to
Environment agency flood risks maps and to see how effective the schemes are.
River
Harbourne or
River Lemon
Full day
Harbertonford
Full day
Fieldwork Skills
Fieldwork data collection must include at least:
- one quantitative fieldwork method to measure river discharge
- one qualitative fieldwork method to record landforms that make up the river landscape.
Human interaction: students must develop their understanding of the implications of river processes for
people living in the catchment area.
Secondary data:
- A flood risk map e.g. Environment Agency flood risk map.
- One other secondary source.
Task: Changing city environments – investigating change in central/inner urban area(s)
Urban Change
Students will investigate how urban change has created social, economic and
environmental challenges. They will investigate different neighbourhoods of Plymouth
using primary techniques such as land use mapping, crime surveys and car-age surveys,
qualitative descriptions of the environment and secondary census data.
FSC Slapton Ley, Slapton, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2QP
Tel: 01548 580466
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.field-studies-council.org/centres/slapton/slaptonley.aspx
Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW
Plymouth
Full day
FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL
GCSE Edexcel A Options
Slapton Ley Field Centre
Fieldwork skills
Fieldwork data collection must include at least:
- one qualitative fieldwork method to record the quality of the urban environment
- one quantitative fieldwork method to measure land use function.
Physical interaction: students must develop their understanding of the interaction
between physical landscape features, the central/inner urban area and residents and
visitors.
Secondary data: The use of at least two different secondary sources of data, including:
- Census data e.g. Office for National Statistics (ONS) Neighbourhood Statistics –
neighbourhood summary report
- one other chosen by the centre.
Task: Changing rural environments – investigating change in rural settlements
Changing Rural Environments
Students will explore the village of Slapton and develop their sense of place. They will
carry out a range of fieldwork including mapping changes over the last 50 years,
qualitative data collection such as interviews and questionnaires, and quantitative data
such as traffic counts and pedestrian counts. Students will also have access to secondary
data, including census information, newspaper articles and links to local websites and
blogs. They will use these fieldwork opportunities to help build up a picture of the
characteristics of the village and how it has changed.
Slapton
Half day
Fieldwork skills
Fieldwork data collection must include at least:
- one qualitative fieldwork method to record the views of people
on the quality of the rural environment
- one quantitative fieldwork method to measure flows of people
within a rural settlement.
Physical interaction: students must develop their understanding of the interaction between physical
landscape features, rural settlements and residents and visitors.
Secondary Data: The use of at least two different secondary sources of data, including:
- Census data e.g. Office for National Statistics (ONS), Neighbourhood Statistics – neighbourhood summary
report
- one other chosen by the centre.
FSC Slapton Ley, Slapton, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2QP
Tel: 01548 580466
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.field-studies-council.org/centres/slapton/slaptonley.aspx
Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW