Kingswood 2011/12 EFS brochure

ENVIRONMENTAL

FIELD STUDIES

GCSE | AS | A2 | SQA 2011/12 | kingswood.co.uk | 0800 655 6564

A “ great experience! challenging academically and great for the students’ personal development.”

Queen Elizabeth School, Barnet

2 | 0800 655 6564

WELCOME Field studies are at the heart of geography and environmentally based science programmes across all levels of education. Every year huge numbers of students pass through our doors to take part in a truly memorable educational experience. We’ve designed our studies to meet the requirements of the latest exam board specifications, from GCSE to A2 and Advanced Highers.

Our four field study centres provide students and teachers the opportunity to share in our belief that every child should have the freedom to open their minds to their own true potential.

That’s why we’re committed to government initiatives, including the ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ manifesto. Our aim is to create centres of excellence where young people from all backgrounds, abilities, races and religions can learn about each other and about the world around them in a fun, safe, open and educational environment.

Kingswood Field Studies Centres are part of the wider Kingswood Group, operating ten educational activity centres across the UK and Northern France. We have a wealth of educational adventure experience, belonging to the respected Education Travel Group, who welcome 250,000 children every year on a huge range of education, language and cultural tours, including ski trips, summer adventure holidays and worldwide school group adventures.

KINGSWOOD’S EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES & AIMS Clearly Defined Learning Objectives & Outcomes

Case Study Material Related To Examinations

High Standards Of Instruction From Tutors With Local Knowledge

Teaching Tailored To Individual Learning Styles Exam Board Specific Courses At AS, A2, H & AH Levels

New Format New Format GCSE Studies GCSE Studies to Follow

Recognising Recognising The Importance the Importance Of Fieldwork of Fieldwork Aimed Aimed toto Help Each Each & & Help

•Outdoor Studies •Adventure Activities •Balanced Diet Options

•Highly Trained & Qualified Staff •Risk Assessments •BAHA & AALS Accredited

Be Healthy

Stay Safe Enjoy & Achieve

Every Individual Individual Every Reach Their Reach their Potential

Potential

Programmes Programmes Tailored T to Tailored To New New Curriculum Curriculum Programmes Programmes OfStudy Study of

14 - 19 Curriculum

Residential Experience

Courses Designed To Build Confidence, Self Esteem, Communication & Team Work Skills

Every Child Matters

Achieve Economic Wellbeing

Learning Outside The Classroom

Make Positive Contribution Linking Feelings & Learning

Inspiring Inspiring Students Students Maximising ToExplore Explore to Maximising ThePotential Potential The World World the the ForLearning Learning Around Around for Them Them

Unique and And Diverse Diverse Unique Environmental Study Environmental Study Locations Locations

•Learning Through Activities •Meeting Personal Goals •Peer Encouragement Dedicated Courses Assisting Students To Achieve Top Grades In Examinations

Lifeskills, Environmental Appreciation, Awareness & Impact Assessment

Creating the The Creating MostMemorable Memorable Most Learning Learning Experiences Experiences

Bringing Theory Bringing Theory To Life Life Through to Through Hands-on Practical Hands-on Practical Experiences Experiences

www.kingswood.co.uk | 3

EDINBURGH

NEWCASTLE

MANCHESTER

COLOMENDY, Mold, North Wales

NEW FOR 2012 DEARNE VALLEY Conisbrough, South Yorkshire

BIRMINGHAM

OVERSTRAND HALL, North Norfolk

CAMBRIDGE LONDON

SOUTHAMPTON BRIGHTON ISLE OF WIGHT, Bembridge, Isle of Wight

4 | www.kingswood.co.uk

CONTENTS Welcome .............................. 3 Fieldwork for great results ........................ 6 AS and A2 Level Geography........................... 8 AS and A2 Level Biology................................. 9 GCSE Geography and Science courses ........... 10 SQA Geography and Biology ......................... 11 Outstanding facilities, exquisite locations .............12 Overstrand Hall, North Norfolk Coast...........14 Colomendy, North Wales.........................15 Isle of Wight, South Coast .........................16 Dearne Valley, South Yorkshire...................17 Our experienced staff team............................. 21 Safety and peace of mind................................. 22 Your questions answered ............................. 24 How to book........................ 26 Worldwide Geography tours ................ 27

0800 655 6564 | 5

FIELDWORK FOR GREAT RESULTS We have produced an excellent range of studies that make the most of the diverse and inspirational environments surrounding our centres. Created by experts, our field study courses successfully meet the requirements set by students, teachers and exam boards.

A PROVEN APPROACH Our fieldwork programme is designed to enable students to learn and practice a variety of techniques, using their findings to build their subject knowledge. Specific case studies reinforce learning by exploring the natural environment and focussing minds on enquirybased learning objectives. Developing and critiquing suitable hypotheses challenges students to collect and present qualitative and quantitative data in a logical and structured manner. Decision-making exercises help to further build key skills, vital to research success.

COURSES TO COMPLEMENT THE CURRICULUM Our GCSE, AS, A2, SQA H and AH modules include over thirty thematic studies designed to match the specific requirements of the five most widely-used examining boards. You can choose any combination of modules and we’ll adapt them if necessary to fit your school’s work – an experienced member of our Field Studies team will call you before your visit to discuss your group’s exact requirements. Over a week’s stay, students would typically complete three or four study modules. Our instructors do all the teaching but we’re happy to work alongside you if this helps. We run ICT follow-up sessions in the same way, but if students are completing their controlled assessment, our instructors can adapt it to meet your exam board’s specific requirements. In this case, we would ask that teachers are also present to supervise.

PERSONALISED LEARNING We address the individual learning needs of each student by using a variety of teaching styles inside and outside the classroom. In addition, we encourage students to work in teams, building on their personal and social skills through their fieldwork experience. This collaborative atmosphere gives teachers the chance to get a new perspective on the way their students work and interact with each other.

6 | 0800 655 6564

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME On the day you arrive, your students will have an evening classroom session after dinner, so we can introduce the next day’s module and discuss methods and objectives. Each day, students will be given a worksheet before going out into the field to take measurements and collect data.

They return to a follow-up session in an ICT lab.

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT We supply specialist sampling and measuring equipment, including flow meters, digital anemometers, quadrats, ranging poles and clinometers – and we always take digital cameras into the field. We’ve recently introduced AEGIS 3, a state-of-the-art digital mapping tool designed specifically for schools. Students can use it to place multiple layers of data over a map, analysing patterns and spatial variations.

Schools can make use of AEGIS 3 both on the course and for follow-up. If you prefer, we can also offer Excel templates.

ICT THAT MAKES THE GRADE Each module includes a follow-up session in the ICT lab, where students can prepare quality reports illustrated with photos, graphs and charts. We offer a range of Microsoft educational software packages designed to help analyse and present data, plus specialist software for the plotting of species distribution using kite graphs. By turning data into charts and graphs, students can visualise and interpret some of the more difficult research concepts they encounter.

Our up-to-date facilities offer a 1:1 student/ computer ratio and students can take their work away with them on CD when they leave.

LATEST ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES Many of our field studies groups prefer to maximise the number of modules they study, so it may well be that your timetable is full of fieldwork, classroom sessions and lab work. But if you want your students to take a break from study, we offer a host of team-building, challenging adventure activities, such as 3G swing, caving, climbing, archery, fencing, abseiling, high and low ropes, team challenge and giant zipwire. We can include as many, or as few, activities into your personal timetable as you like. Just let us know your preferences when you book your trip.

2 night sample timetable: Edexcel A2 Biology

5 night sample timetable

WED

THUR

Travel to Kingswood Water on the Land The Coastal Zone fieldwork fieldwork

SUN

MON

TUES

Changing Urban Environments fieldwork

Tourism fieldwork

LUNCH PICNIC LUNCH Welcome & tour Water on the Land The Coastal Zone fieldwork fieldwork Introduction to ICT follow-up Fieldwork ICT follow-up Techniques Climbing DINNER DINNER DINNER Water on the Land The Coastal Zone Changing Urban Environments introduction introduction introduction

HOT LUNCH

PICNIC LUNCH

3G swing

Tourism fieldwork

ICT follow-up Tourism introduction DINNER

Team challenge

Hot spots

ICT follow-up

DINNER

FRI ICT Study consolidation Caving LUNCH Depart

FRI Travel to Kingswood LUNCH Welcome & tour

SAT

SUN

Psammosere Report Writing Skills Succession fieldwork Low ropes PICNIC LUNCH LUNCH Psammosere Depart Succession fieldwork

Introduction to Fieldwork ICT follow-up Techniques DINNER DINNER Psammosere Succession Karaoke party introduction

www.kingswood.co.uk | 7

AS & A2 LEVEL GEOGRAPHY We’ve refreshed our geography courses in line with the latest A-level requirements, maximising the strengths of our existing studies and using new locations and technology where appropriate.

All modules are designed to help build a range of geographical skills to help students in all exams, not just those that are fieldwork specific.

EDEXCEL The board takes a contemporary approach to fieldwork with a range of techniques used across studies: EDEXCEL Crowded coasts Rebranding places Unequal spaces Extreme weather

COLOMENDY

ISLE OF WIGHT

3 3 3 3

3 rural only rural only

X

OVERSTRAND

3 3 3 3

DEARNE VALLEY

X

3 3 3

AQA, OCR, WJEC These boards cover topics in a more traditional way and the design of studies reflects this. All studies will be tailored to each individual specification but the main areas covered are shown below: AQA, OCR, WJEC Rural Urban Rivers Coasts Succession Glaciation

COLOMENDY

3 3 3 3 3 3

ISLE OF WIGHT

3 X X

3 X X

OVERSTRAND

DEARNE VALLEY

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3

X

For full information on all of our modules please visit www.kingswood.co.uk

8 | www.kingswood.co.uk

X X X

Studies are focussed on the ‘route to enquiry’ with students being encouraged to find out about the topic and location, making predictions before going out into the field and collecting data to prove or disprove these.

Students will use geographical information systems as a key part of their follow-up work, displaying their own results and using secondary data to help analyse patterns. We then carry out follow-up sessions to find out if their predictions were correct, consider the study’s limitations and think about how they may have affected results.

AS & A2 LEVEL BIOLOGY Our A-level biology courses closely follow the ‘how science works’ approach, focussing on developing practical skills, while also covering the relevant specification content. We tailor our modules to meet the general needs of each exam board but in general, cover the areas listed below: COLOMENDY

ISLE OF WIGHT

OVERSTRAND

Terrestrial ecology

3

Rocky shore ecology

X

Freshwater ecology

3 3

X X X X

3 3 3 3 3 3

Sand dune succession Heathland succession

X

Woodland ecology

3

X X

DEARNE VALLEY

3 X

Students investigate the biotic and abiotic characteristics of each habitat through appropriate fieldwork techniques, collecting, presenting and analysing data using a range of graphical and statistical means.

They are encouraged to explain the patterns shown in their results by making synoptic links with other areas of the specification, allowing them to build a greater understanding of the limitations of each technique and developing important evaluative skills.

3 X X

3

As some of these topics are not specification content themselves, the skills focus of the studies is more important. You can see the skills covered by each topic in the table below: TERRESTRIAL FRESHWATER ROCKY SHORE SAND DUNE WOODLAND ECOLOGY ECOLOGY ECOLOGY SUCCESSION ECOLOGY Ecological definitions Use of quadrats

3 3 3

HEATHLAND SUCCESSION

X

X

X

X

X

3

3

X

X

3 3

3 3

3

3

X

X

Line and belt transects Energy transfer & trophic levels

X

X X X

X

3

X

X

X

X

Measurement of abiotic factors

X

3

X

3

3

3

Mark-release-recapture

3

X

X

X

X

X

Species richness & diversity

3

X

X

X

X

X

Succession

X

X

X

3

3

3

Random sampling

For full information on all of our modules please visit www.kingswood.co.uk

0800 655 6564

|9

GCSE GEOGRAPHY & SCIENCE COURSES We understand the changing needs of schools to meet the requirements of the different exam boards, and we offer a range of courses that can be tailored to these needs.

Our centres are well-equipped to help schools carry out controlled assessment work, from schools who only wish to collect data to those who would prefer to complete the entire write-up while on site. We offer first-class ICT facilities providing excellent access for all students with 1:1 student/computer ratios.

All staff are trained in the controlled assessment requirements and are ready to help teachers carry out assessments at every stage.

If your school prefers to take a courseworkstyle approach, we’re more than happy to accommodate this, just as we have in the past.

GEOGRAPHY Students focus on the ‘route to enquiry’, making predictions before going out into the field to collect data. We then carry out a follow-up session using the latest geographical information system technology, where students will analyse their results to find out whether their predictions were correct. We finish each module with a review of the study, encouraging students to question the study’s limitations and consider how they may have affected results.

Our instructors will adapt content and assessments to suit the requirements of each board, but the key areas covered are shown below: EDEXCEL AQA, OCR, WJEC Rural Urban Rivers Coasts Ecosystems Glaciation

COLOMENDY

3 3 3 3 3 3

ISLE OF WIGHT

OVERSTRAND

DEARNE VALLEY

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3

X X

X X X

X

For full information on all of our modules please visit www.kingswood.co.uk

SCIENCE Fieldwork studies are a great way of showing students the importance of how science works, learning how science is used day-to-day in the real world. Students practice key numeracy and literacy skills as we go through the course content. We cover the following areas:

COLOMENDY Terrestrial ecology

3

Rocky shore ecology

X

Freshwater ecology

3 3

Sand dune succession Heathland succession

X

Woodland ecology

3

10 | 0800 655 6564

ISLE OF WIGHT

X X X X X X

OVERSTRAND

3 3 3 3 3 3

DEARNE VALLEY

3 X

3 X X

3

SQA GEOGRAPHY & BIOLOGY We can tailor our courses to meet the needs of students from Access through to Higher level. Students will be introduced to the topics and locations they’re going to study, before heading out into the field, learning different techniques each day to help develop their skills throughout the course.

Our follow-up sessions encourage students to analyse the data they’ve collected and to consider the results in the light of any limitations they have uncovered. Geography students will benefit from the latest

GEOGRAPHY Rural Urban Rivers Coasts Ecosystems Glaciation

COLOMENDY

3 3 3 3 3 3

geographical information systems to help them display their own results and use secondary data to analyse patterns. The general areas we cover are shown in the tables below:

ISLE OF WIGHT

OVERSTRAND

DEARNE VALLEY

3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3

X X

X

X X X

For full information on all of our modules please visit www.kingswood.co.uk

BIOLOGY

COLOMENDY

ISLE OF WIGHT

OVERSTRAND

Terrestrial ecology

3

Rocky shore ecology

X

Freshwater ecology

3 3

X X X X

3 3 3 3 3 3

Sand dune succession Heathland succession

X

Woodland ecology

3

X X

DEARNE VALLEY

3 X

3 X X

3

“Seeing processes and defences in action is a great benefit to the students – talks from Kingswood staff were exceptional.”

Langdon Comprehensive School, London

www.kingswood.co.uk | 11

OUTSTANDING

FACILITIES, EXQUISITE

LOCATIONS We have an established national network of centres. Each has been chosen for its very special characteristics that make it an extraordinary place to stay. For some, that might be a fantastic beach, for others a beautiful valley. Some have a unique sense of heritage, others have a campus feel, while some are delightfully homely and compact.

Whichever centre our guests visit, they will get a warm welcome and the highest standards of care. We take great pride in making our centres welcoming places with friendly staff, smiling faces and excellent pastoral care facilities.

All of our centres boast year-round, all-weather facilities, so come rain or shine, there’s always something to do once studying is done for the day. Indoor climbing walls, swimming pools and canoe splash, indoor sports halls, archery and aeroball – we can offer lots of exciting

12 | www.kingswood.co.uk

activities to fit in around your studies if you choose. And most of our outdoor equipment can also be used whatever the weather, giving students the chance to take their mind off their studies.

Although we currently have nine UK centres, we have designated four of them as particularly suitable for environmental field studies. We’ll look at them in more detail over the next few pages, so you can get a feel for each one’s unique location and decide which would be best for your students’ needs.

NEW FOR 2012 DEARNE VALLEY Conisbrough, South Yorkshire COLOMENDY, Mold, North Wales OVERSTRAND HALL, North Norfolk

ISLE OF WIGHT, Bembridge, Isle of Wight

“Excellent! Could not have chosen a better centre for our A2 Biology Field Trip!�

Wrenn School, Norfolk

0800 655 6564 | 13

OVERSTRAND HALL NORTH NORFOLK COAST Exposed to the rapidly eroding forces of the North Sea, the North Norfolk coast is one of the most richly-endowed regions for field studies in this country. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with many Sites of Special Scientific Interest, diverse local habitats include heathlands, rivers, sand dunes, a spit and the man-made reservoirs that form the Norfolk Broads.

Cromer, the sought-after Victorian health spa, is three miles down the road and makes an ideal study for the impact of declining tourism on a buoyant British seaside town. Recently the focus of a ÂŁ12 million tourism regeneration project, Cromer also provides an excellent local regeneration study. The medieval city of Norwich, 20 miles to the south, offers further opportunities for urban and regeneration studies.

14 | 0800 655 6564

Our centre, Overstrand Hall, is a beautiful manor house designed by the renowned architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. It stands 250m from the picturesque clifftop village of Overstrand, surrounded by woodland and fields with the sea just a stone’s throw away.

The accommodation facilities have been refurbished to include new showers and wet-rooms. First-rate ICT resources and classroom areas are equally matched by the high-adrenaline adventure activities available, including abseiling, caving and high ropes.

For a full centre activity list visit

www.kingswood.co.uk

COLOMENDY NORTH WALES The Colomendy centre is spectacularly spread over 200 hectares, deep in a Welsh valley.

Great care has been taken to protect the rich environment, encompassing complex habitats for all manner of wildlife including the endangered Great Crested Newt. Mature native woodlands bound the site and the Loggerheads Country Park overlooks the centre grounds. Here the River Alyn flows through the park and offers students a great opportunity for studying freshwater invertebrate populations.

Locally, interesting artefacts from the late Stone Ages and Roman occupation have been found and the nearby Talacre sand dunes provide an ideal study site for sand dune succession, immediately contrasted with the adjacent salt marshes. Towns such as Llangollen and Chester, plus the newly-regenerated Rhyl, are perfect for urban and tourism studies.

We have recently carried out an extensive improvement programme across all centre facilities, including accommodation, dining and relaxation areas and a refurbished education block incorporating ICT labs and classrooms.

We also have some of the best outdoor adventure facilities in Europe, including an impressive giant zipwire, thrilling 3G swing and purpose-built caving system.

For a full centre activity list visit

www.kingswood.co.uk

www.kingswood.co.uk | 15

ISLE OF WIGHT SOUTH COAST Popular with teachers and students alike, our centre covers 100 acres of beautiful fields and woodlands in a superb clifftop location, overlooking Whitecliff Bay, with direct beach access.

Surrounded by ‘Jurassic’ coastline designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, this is the most important area in Europe for dinosaur fossils. An abundance of estuaries and scattered sand dunes create ideal features for study, as do inland rivers crossing chalk downs.

Just over the ridge is Sandown, a Victorian seaside resort, where current trends in tourism dictate local prosperity.

We’ve recently completed the largest investment programme ever carried out within the Kingswood group, upgrading the accommodation and facilities to create a campus feel. Students benefit from state-ofthe-art ICT labs, environmental classrooms, a cinema complex and recreational areas.

The Isle of Wight centre also has a thrilling adventure activity programme and facilities include a newly-installed 3G swing, quad and kart tracks, a high ropes course, indoor and outdoor climbing facilities, archery ranges, swimming pool, fencing studio, underground caving complex, abseiling towers and zipwire.

For a full centre activity list visit

www.kingswood.co.uk

16 | www.kingswood.co.uk

DEARNE VALLEY SOUTH YORKSHIRE Close to the Peak District National Park, the former Earth Centre spans 50 acres of established parkland encompassing a variety of indoor and outdoor learning spaces. The nearby Denaby Ings and Sprotborough Flash wetland nature reserves are home to many birds and plants and a range of interesting geological features can be found across the region, including different rock and mineral types such as Magnesian limestone and the Barnsley coal seam.

The centre itself is built on a remediated colliery site, demonstrating how damaged areas can be restored, and benefits from its own water treatment plant and one of Europe’s largest solar panels.

Easy access to Sheffield and Doncaster offers the opportunity to study the history of heavy industry and to see the results of major urban regeneration. The historic city of York is also a popular choice for cultural excursions.

The centre boasts a choice of well-equipped environmental science labs, multi-media areas, smaller break-out rooms and a large conference centre, as well as a full range of exciting adventure activities, including abseiling, caving, high and low ropes courses and much more.

For a full centre activity list visit

www.kingswood.co.uk

NEW FOR 2012

0800 655 6564 | 17

18 | 0800 655 6564

“A well run, gentle but appropriately challenging session – was good to play a support role with qualified staff leading so we could enjoy time with the students.”

Queen Elizabeth School for Boys, Barnet

www.kingswood.co.uk | 19

20 | www.kingswood.co.uk

OUR EXPERIENCED STAFF TEAM Our team of environmentalists is made up of dedicated, passionate individuals, skilled at imparting their fascination for the geography and biology of the region to visiting students. They understand how important the fieldwork element is to the overall study programme and are experienced in guiding and assisting both individuals and groups.

Many of our tutors are graduates in their specialist area of study and trained to meet both internal and external audits in health and safety, first aid and soft skills. Each centre is run by an experienced and highly-qualified Centre Manager and supported by the Guest Services Team.

INVESTMENT IN STAFF TRAINING Every centre has an Environmental Specialist who is responsible for the ongoing training and development of all members of the environmental team. This includes a regular development programme, with ad-hoc training given where necessary. Subjects covered include the latest information about specification content and assessment criteria, general and site specific environmental coaching and health and safety.

Our Environmental Specialists also receive personal development training which may be externally validated. Throughout the year we bring our team together to formulate fresh courses and discuss the impact of new environmental issues and concerns on our overall programme.

OUR RIGOROUS INDUCTION PROCEDURE We recruit new centre instructors three times a year, employing a qualified occupational tester to advise us on our selection. Every inductee undergoes a full Criminal Records Bureau check with full police clearance before arriving at a Kingswood centre and we follow up all references given. Our comprehensive training programme includes ‘soft skills’ such as how to talk to young people and teenagers.

Inductees are fully qualified in emergency first aid and are continually assessed in their compliance with Kingswood health and safety procedures. In their second year, selected instructors are promoted to Lead Instructor level and work towards management qualifications.

NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY EXTERNAL AWARD Where an activity is regulated by a National Governing Body (NGB), all staff instructing that activity either hold the relevant NGB qualification or are regularly assessed by technicallyqualified specialists. Where appropriate, these qualifications conform to the Technical Expert/ Adviser requirements of the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS).

“Our instructor was excellent.

He really enthused the pupils and kept them listening.”

St Dunstan’s College, London

0800 655 6564 | 21

SAFETY AND PEACE OF MIND Kingswood has an outstanding record for the safety and security of all our guests. Our organisation, now in its third decade of working with schools, welcomes some 130,000 students each year, so it’s essential that our centres operate under strict procedures.

HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY All field study trips are underpinned by our comprehensive Health and Safety Policy.

This has been written to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and acknowledges the special responsibility we have to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the young people who undertake our courses.

A copy of the full policy is available from our website, www.kingswood.co.uk.

OFF-SITE SAFETY We have strict policies in place for the operation of off-site fieldwork. All of our field study sites are regularly used and well known to our instructors and our Operating Procedures cover everything from boarding a coach to crossing a road, student supervision ratios, clothing requirements, instructor training requirements and systems for remote supervision.

All of our instructors have undergone first aid training and always have access to a first aid kit and mobile phone. They provide thorough safety briefings to students before they depart from centre, and are trained to conduct dynamic risk assessments through the day to respond to changing environmental conditions.

Senior staff members conduct regular audits of field study programmes to confirm that our high standards are being maintained, and we consult with experienced field study and health and safety consultants to ensure that our procedures stay in line with current best practice.

RISK ASSESSMENT We have conducted comprehensive risk assessments for our off-site programmes, and all of the field study venues we use are vetted for their suitability before first use by a senior staff member. An emergency information card is prepared for each field study site to ensure that in the event of an incident the Instructor always has a Plan B. Copies of risk assessments can be downloaded from www.kingswood.co.uk.

ON-SITE CARE Kingswood campuses have secure, clearlydefined borders so we can maintain the highest safety standards at all times. Where necessary we have also installed additional security, including barriers, night patrols, security lighting and CCTV. All staff wear easily-recognisable uniforms and an identification badge.

Students stay in simple, clean, warm, comfortable dormitories within easy walking distance of all main areas. Male and female dorms are situated on separate floors with separate shower and toilet facilities. We provide sheets, duvets and pillows and dorms offer hanging space and under-bed storage. Teacher bedrooms are close by so you can easily supervise your students. We also have a Duty Manager and First-Aider on call 24 hours a day.

MEETING EXTERNAL STANDARDS All Kingswood centres are inspected and accredited by the British Activity Holidays Association and hold the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge and the Adventuremark Award for safety in activity provision. We are also accredited by the Institute of Outdoor Learning, and our water sports provision at the Isle of Wight centre is licensed by the Adventurous Activities Licensing Service. Licence details can be confirmed by calling the Licensing Service on 029 2075 5715.

Watersports

“It was a very worthwhile visit and great safety standards.”

Swanlea Secondary School, London

22 | 0800 655 6564

www.kingswood.co.uk | 23

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED We hope this brochure gives you the information you need. But if you do have any more questions, you might find the answer here.

If not, please call a member of our team on 0800 655 6564 and they’ll be happy to help, or take a look at our website – www.kingswood.co.uk.

Q: Can I talk to someone about study requirements before I visit?

A: We’ll call you a few weeks before you visit, but you can contact us at any time if you have questions or concerns. Don’t forget, you can also find more information at www.kingswood.co.uk.

Q: Can I visit my chosen centre?

A: Just let us know when you want to visit and we will happily arrange a personal tour of our centres and arrange a time to discuss specific study requirements with you.

24 | www.kingswood.co.uk

Q: Do I need to bring any specialist equipment?

A: Not normally. We have a comprehensive inventory of fieldwork equipment to specifically match our courses. Please feel free to discuss any particular requests with us before you arrive.

Q: Do students need any specialist clothing?

A: No, but we recommend you bring suitable wet weather gear and waterproof footwear, such as wellington boots.

Q: What do students do in the evenings?

A: Our courses usually run well into the evening.

However, we do encourage students to socialise in the recreational areas afterwards and provide evening entertainment as we consider this an important part of the residential experience.

Q: Who will be my point of contact during my stay?

A: A tutor will take care of your needs for the whole stay. Tutors are hand-picked for their specialist knowledge in your particular study area.

Q: What is your payment process?

A: Once you’ve reserved your dates, you’ll need to pay the first, non-refundable deposit within 28 days. The second deposit is due 8 weeks after the first, with the third and final payment due 8 weeks before arrival.

Q: Do students from different schools mix?

A: Not usually. Classmates share the same dorms and stay together throughout the day. However, students have the chance to meet and make new friends from other schools in the evenings.

Q: Will students need additional pocket money?

A: All students’ needs are catered for. But each centre has a shop where students can buy postcards, limited refreshments and souvenirs.

Any students going off-site may be given the chance to visit local shops but only at the teacher’s discretion.

Q: What is included in the booking fee?

A: Your booking fee covers a fully-supervised programme of field study course work, as well as adventure activities, evening entertainment, accommodation, healthy meals and free places for a teacher/pupil ratio of 1:10. The price does not include transport to and from the centre, or between centre and off-site locations. We do offer this at a cost of £5 per student per excursion, but are happy for small groups to bring their own minibus.

Q: Can you arrange insurance?

A: All visitors to Kingswood are covered by our standard £20 million public liability insurance while on site. Some schools choose to take out our additional Group Travel Insurance at £5 per student. This covers students and their party leaders from the time of booking to the return to school.

Q: What about students with special needs?

A: We can accommodate most needs but we do ask that you let us know at the time of booking so that we can advise on whether we are equipped to deal with specific situations.

Q: What is the food like?

A: All our meals are created with health and nutrition in mind. Menus vary from day-to-day according to the season and the individual centre. Guests eat in the communal dining room, with a choice of hot and cold dishes, vegetarian selections and fresh salad bars. We can also cater

for students with special religious or dietary needs if you let us know well in advance.

Students who are off-site at lunchtime will be given a packed lunch, including sandwiches, fruit, biscuits, crisps and a drink.

Q: What care is available during the night?

A: Teachers sleep just down the corridor from their pupils and there is also a Duty Manager on call throughout the night.

Q: How secure are the centres?

A: Each Kingswood centre has secure and clearly defined borders to maintain the highest safety standards at all times. For more information on the security and safety of our centres, please see page 22.

Q: Do you have fire drills?

A: Upon arriving at Kingswood, all schools receive a fire-safety briefing where we point out the emergency exits and meeting areas and rehearse our evacuation procedure. We then carry out an emergency fire drill involving everyone on site – students, teachers and staff.

Q: Do you have first-aid cover?

A: We have fully-qualified first aid staff on site at all times. For more information on medical issues, please see page 22.

0800 655 6564 | 25

HOW TO BOOK TRANSPORT We have excellent relationships and discounted rates with a number of reputable coach operators and transport companies, so we’ll be more than happy to help you arrange travel to and from your chosen centre. Our team can even assist if you want to visit any areas of local interest en-route. Just call our travel team on 0800 655 6564.

TRANSPORT TO OFF-SITE FIELD LOCATIONS We can arrange travel to and from off-site locations for £5 per student per excursion.

Alternatively, small groups often prefer to bring their own minibus – just let us know before you arrive so we can arrange parking.

INSPECTION DAY VISITS If you’d like to visit one of our centres before you book a stay, we can arrange a personal tour of our facilities and can discuss your specific requirements. Just call us on 0800 655 6564 or email schools@kingswood.co.uk to arrange a convenient date.

KINGSWOOD ONLINE If you’d like more information, why not take a look at our website? It’s a useful reference source for information on our courses, field trips, educational visits and study tours and includes details of our guidelines, policies and risk assessments.

Step 1 Making a provisional booking To make a no-obligation booking just call us on 0800 655 6564 and we’ll be happy to check availability at your chosen centre and advise you on suitable course options.

It’s always a good idea to have a second choice of dates in case your first choice isn’t available.

We’ll hold your booking for 28 days before we need payment, so you can launch your trip to pupils and parents. A member of our field studies team will then call to discuss your individual programme, although if you’d like to talk this through before you book, please do give us a call. We’ll send details of your proposed visit along with full costings and can also arrange any pre-visit inspections.

Step 2 Launching your trip When you launch your school trip to parents and students you will receive a ‘Welcome Guide’ that includes everything that you will need to successfully advertise your visit including parents’ guides, a DVD presentation and savings cards.

A member of our team can also come to your school and explain to parents the benefits of a visit to Kingswood.

Step 3 Confirming your booking Simply confirm the number of children attending and include initial deposits. If you take out our comprehensive travel insurance for a small fee, in certain circumstances deposits are returnable if cancelled.

First deposits where the whole stay costs £100 or less per party member – £20 + VAT. First deposits where the whole stay costs more than £100 per party member – £40 + VAT.

Step 4 Second deposits Second deposit due 8 weeks after first deposit where the whole stay costs £100 or less per party member – £45 + VAT. Second deposits where the whole stay costs more than £100 per party member – £55 + VAT.

Step 5 Final balance The final balance is due 8 weeks before you arrive at centre.

Step 6 Choosing your programme One month before you arrive you will receive full details of your programme. We always send visiting schools an update on all course options so that you can make the best choices for your stay.

26 | 0800 655 6564

WORLDWIDE GEOGRAPHY TOURS

Kingswood is part of the Education Travel Group. The group cover all aspects of student travel and educational trips, so we can now also offer exciting worldwide geography tours operated by our sister company STS School Travel Service.

ICELAND

SPAIN – BILBAO

UK

With its stunning landscape of lava fields and steaming gas vents, volcanoes and waterfalls, Iceland offers a unique combination of geographical sites. Our tour guides are highly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their homeland – and all speak fluent English.

Discover the Guggenheim effect before everyone else does! Once ugly with industrial sprawl Bilbao is performing an exciting regeneration miracle. Investigate economic transition from the decline of mining to tertiary industries and tourism. Study coastal landscapes including the famous Flysch.

Why travel abroad when the UK is not only affordable, but has so much to offer.

Tour the new Olympic city rising in east London.

Study patterns of socio-economic disparity and rebranding in Docklands or along the South Bank. Develop fieldwork skills in our coasts, moors and mountains.

SPAIN – BARCELONA

TENERIFE

ITALY – BAY OF NAPLES

An exciting city to assess the success of urban regeneration as a result of Olympic developments. Study tourism along the coast, assess impacts of water abstraction on a delta, explore wetland ecologies or observe the erosional features of limestone mountains.

Dominated by the dormant volcano, Mt. Teide, the island offers a sharp contrast between the lush green north and arid south. Tourism, industry and settlement vary around the island, providing ideal opportunities for comparison studies. Suitably warm at any time of the year!

Observe the devastating effects of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius on Pompeii in AD7. Assess the challenges of living in a hazardous environment and observe the evidence of volcanic activity at Solfatara. Tour the stunning Amalfi coast to study tourism and coastal processes.

For more information call STS School Travel Service on 0870 240 6828, email sales@ststravel.co.uk or visit www.ststravel.co.uk The Education Travel Group also offers tours through a number of other operators: STS TOURS STS School Travel Service is the UK’s largest educational travel company specialising in tours for secondary schools, primary schools and college groups throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the World. www.ststravel.co.uk.

SKIPLAN The UK market leader in skiing trips for schools. Choose from over seventy resorts around Europe and North America. www.skiplan.co.uk.

KINGSWOOD We also offer courses for students from Key Stage 2/P4-7 to A-Level or Advanced Highers. www.kingswood.co.uk.

www.kingswood.co.uk | 27

Field studies skills are an integral part of geography and biology programmes, and at Kingswood, our courses are designed to meet the latest exam board requirements, from GSCE to A2 and Advanced Highers.

Every year, thousands of students join us for a truly memorable visit that improves study skills and brings learning to life, equipping them both for their exams and for future learning.

www.kingswood.co.uk t | 0800 655 6564

f | 0844 800 5008

e | schools@kingswood.co.uk

Kingswood Field Study Centres | Kingswood House | Alkmaar Way | Norwich | Norfolk | NR6 6BF

Kingswood is part of

Watersports

Printed on 100% recycled paper

KWUK_BR_20.05.11_533