Kingswood Environmental Field Studies 2012-13 brochure

“At Kingswood children learn more about themselves, others and develop new skills and talents that could never be accomplished in the classroom.”

- Peter’s School

Environmental Field Studies kingswood.co.uk | +44 (0) 800 655 6564

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Welcome

Imagine a place where inquisitive minds are challenged to think and discover; where learning takes place in the great outdoors, questions are answered, mysteries uncovered and young people given the freedom to explore diverse landscapes everyday.

At Kingswood this is what we do.

We understand that across all levels of education, field studies lie at the very heart of geography and environmentally based science programmes. So we have created 4 centres of excellence across the UK, all offering field study programmes specifically designed to interest, excite and engage students - and to meet the requirements of the latest exam board specifications, from GCSE to A2 and Advanced Highers.

By combining stunning locations, outstanding facilities, state-of-the-art equipment and the best minds in every

field, we are able to bring together the many students from all backgrounds, abilities, races and religions who pass through our doors every year, and help them to learn about each other and the world around them in a fun, safe and open educational environment.

With 30 years’ experience as part of both the Kingswood Group and the Education Travel Group, we’re proud to offer a truly memorable Outside of the Classroom experience and immersive learning at it’s very best.

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

Case Study Material Related To Examinations

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EDINBURGH

NEWCASTLE

Dearne Valley Conisbrough, South Yorkshire MANCHESTER

Colomendy Mold, North Wales

Overstrand Hall

BIRMINGHAM

North Norfolk CAMBRIDGE

LONDON

SOUTHAMPTON

Isle of Wight Bembridge, Isle of Wight

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CONTENTS Welcome

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Fieldwork for great results

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AS & A2 Level Geography 8 AS & A2 Level Biology 9 KS3, GCSE, SQA Geography, Biology & Science courses 10 Outstanding facilities, exquisite locations

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Overstrand Hall, North Norfolk coast

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Colomendy, North Wales

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Isle of Wight, South coast

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Dearne Valley, South Yorkshire

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Our experienced staff team

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Safety and peace of mind

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Your questions answered 24 How to book Worldwide Geography tours

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Fieldwork for great results Drawing on the diverse and inspirational environments surrounding each of our centres, our excellent range of studies – all of which successfully meet the requirements set by students, teachers and exam boards alike – are aimed at developing key data collection and decision-making skills and promoting the importance of creative thinking and teamwork.

A proven approach

Our fieldwork programme enables students to learn and practice a variety of techniques, using their findings to build their subject knowledge. Carrying out specific case studies helps to reinforce the students’ learning experience, by encouraging them to explore the natural environment and focus their minds on enquiry based learning objectives.

By developing and critiquing suitable hypotheses, students are challenged to collect and present qualitative and quantitative data in a logical and structured manner. Decision-making exercises also 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 the course of a week’s stay, students would typically complete three or four study modules. Both modules and the follow-up ICT sessions are instructor led, although we are also happy to work alongside you if preferred. For students completing their controlled assessment (something that can be accomplished in a 5-day visit) Kingswood instructors will adapt the programme to meet your exam board’s specific requirements - teachers will also be required to be present to supervise.

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To ensure that both your school and the centre are clear about your specific requirements, it is important to discuss the controlled assessment title with your centre’s Environmental Specialist prior to confirming your booking.

Personalised learning

The individual learning needs of each student are addressed by utilising a variety of teaching styles both inside and outside the classroom. To encourage the development of personal and social skills, teamwork is actively encouraged throughout their fieldwork experience. This in turn creates a collaborative atmosphere that allows teachers the chance to gain a new perspective on the way their students work and interact with each other.

Making the most of your time

Classroom session is held on the first day so that methods and objectives can be discussed and students can familiarise themselves with the following day’s module.

Each day thereafter, students will be given a worksheet to complete in the field whilst taking measurements and collectingdata.

This is followed up with a session in an ICT lab.

The right equipment

All specialist sampling and measuring equipment will be supplied, including flow meters, digital anemometers, quadrats, ranging poles, clinometers, and digital cameras are always taken into the field.

We’ve use AEGIS, 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, as well as analysing patterns and spatial variations. Excel templates are also available if preferred.

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, as well as 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 schools can take their work away with them on CD when they leave.

Latest adventure activities

As many of our field studies groups prefer to maximise the number of modules they study, timetables are often taken up with fieldwork, classroom sessions and lab work. If however you would like your students to take a break from study, we offer a host of challenging adventure activities - from 3G swing, caving, climbing and archery, to fencing, abseiling, high ropes and giant zipwire - all designed to build confidence, promote teamwork and boost self-esteem. We can include as many or as few activities into your personal timetable, just let us know your preferences when booking your trip.

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

- Queen Elizabeth School for boys

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Environmental Sessions KS5 S1-6

AS/A2 Level Geography With inspiring new locations and state of the art technology, our newly revised geography courses can be tailored to meet the latest A-level curriculum guidelines and your students’ individual needs.

With a focus on the ‘route to enquiry’, students are encouraged to investigate their topic and location, making predictions before setting out into the field to collect the necessary data to prove or disprove their initial theories. The use of the latest geographical information system technology plays a key part of their follow-up work, as students analyse and review their findings and results.

During follow-up sessions students discover if their predictions were correct and then consider the study’s limitations to see how they may have affected the results.

"A great experience! Session learning outcomes • Develops a greater understanding Challenging of the role geography plays in academically and our world.

• Encourages investigative thinking. great for the • Teaches the importance of collating, students; personal recording and presenting data. development."

• Motivates young people to learn with - Queen Elizabeth School

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out even realising they’re doing so.

• Course studies in line with latest A-level curriculum requirements.

Environmental Sessions

KS5 S1-6

AS/A2 Level Biology With a focus on the ‘how science works’ approach, our A-level biology course covers both content and new skills, with modules all tailored to meet the general needs of each A-level board, as well as your students’ individual needs.

Session learning outcomes • Develops a greater understanding of the role biology plays in the world.

• Encourages investigative thinking and teamwork.

• Teaches the importance of collating, recording and presenting data.

• Motivates young people to learn without even realising they’re doing so.

• Course studies in line with latest A-level curriculum requirements.

"Seeing processes and defences in action is a great benefit - talks from Kingswood staff were exceptional."

- Langdon Comprehensive School

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.

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

We can also offer OCR PSA exams.

Please contact your chosen centre to discuss further.

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Environmental Sessions KS3 KS4 S1-6

KS3

Choosing from a number of options, including visits to local woodlands, rivers, coastal points and urban areas, participants can experience a taste of EFS that allows them to take in the natural world around them.

During a series of fun and informative sessions, participants perform their investigations out in the field, before compiling their findings using technology back in our ICT labs.

GSCE Geography & Science Combining exciting fieldwork studies, key skills and the very latest in technology, our courses are designed to engage and inspire young minds as well as meet all of your individual educational needs.

Geography

With a focus on the ‘route to enquiry’, participants carry out preliminary predictions, fieldwork and data collection, before using the latest geographical information system technology to analyse and review their findings and results.

Science

Through a variety of fieldwork studies and the use of key numeracy and literacy skills, participants are shown the importance of science when used in the real world every day.

Controlled Assessments

Ample opportunities are provided for controlled exam and assessment coursework to be carried out and completed.

SQA Geography & Biology With courses tailored to meet the needs of your school, from Access through to Higher Level, participants will be introduced to the topics and locations they are to study, before heading out into the field to learn and develop new skills and techniques throughout the course.

Follow up sessions in our state of the art ICT labs allow participants the opportunity to review their findings and analyse all data they have collected. Geography students

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will benefit from access to the very latest geographical information systems to help them display their own results and use secondary data to analyse patterns.

Ample opportunities are provided for controlled exam and assessment coursework to be carried out and completed.

Environmental Sessions “For GCSE field work the knowledge and expertise of the staff together with the ICT facilities provides the students with basis for great achievement.”

- St Michael Catholic College Areas and session learning outcomes for courses opposite are shown in the tables below: Colomendy

Isle of Wight

Overstrand Dearne Valley

Rural

3

3

3

3

Urban

3

3

3

3

Rivers

3

3

3

3

Coasts

3

3

3

Ecosystems

3

3

Glaciation

3

Terestrial ecology

3

3

3

Rocky shore ecology

3

3

Freshwater ecology

3

3

3

Sand dune succession

3

3

Heathland succession

3

Woodland ecology

3

3

3

3 3

Session learning outcomes • Develops a greater understanding of the role geography and science plays in the world.

• Encourages investigative thinking.

• Teaches the importance of collating, recording and presenting data.

• Motivates young people to learn without even realising they’re doing so.

• Supports ICT, numeracy and literacy skills.

• Fosters a sense of wonder and appreciation of the natural environment.

• Places theory in real settings.

• Supports attainment in a number of curricula outcomes.

• Builds teamwork and rapport with teachers through engagment in field studies.

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Outstanding facilities, exquisite locations With sweeping sandy beaches and rolling valleys, a unique sense of heritage and neighbouring Sites of Special Scientific Interest, each of our centres offers something that little bit different - a truly inspiring place to stay and the perfect opportunity to meet all of your students’ individual leaning needs.

Each of our centres offer excellent pastoral care facilities, ensuring that not only can all our visitors be sure to receive a warm welcome from our friendly team upon their arrival, they’ll also experience the very highest standards of care for the duration of their stay.

As all our centres boast all-weather, yearround facilities, come rain or shine, there’s always plenty to keep students entertained once the studying is done. Your programmes can be tailor-made to incorporate a wide selection of exciting activities - from indoor climbing walls, swimming pools and canoe splash to archery, aeroball and zipwire which can be designed to fit in and around your studies if you choose.

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Although Kingswood currently has 9 centres located across the UK, 4 of these have been designated as being particularly suitable for our environmental field studies programmes.

The next few pages will further detail each of these centres, letting you decide which of the unique location and available facilities would best suit your students’ learning outcomes and needs.

EDINBURGH

NEWCASTLE

MANCHESTER

Colomendy Mold, North Wales

Dearne Valley Conisbrough, South Yorkshire

Overstrand Hall BIRMINGHAM

North Norfolk CAMBRIDGE

LONDON

SOUTHAMPTON

Isle of Wight Bembridge, Isle of Wight

“The food was fantastic, the staff were so helpful and the activities were really challenging for students.�

- Buckingham College

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What’s on offer?

• A picturesque beachside centre, perfect for field studies.

• A unique building offering stunning features and a truly memorable stay.

• Specialist environmental field study centre for geography, biology, and environmental science.

Overstrand Hall North Norfolk coast

Situated in a beautiful Lutyens manor house, high on a North Norfolk cliff top, Overstrand Hall offers young people a study environment like no other. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in one of the most richly endowed regions for field studies in the country, this centre boasts neighbouring Sites of Special Scientific Interest, diverse local habitats include heathlands, rivers, sand dunes and the man-made reservoirs that form the Norfolk Broads.

Following a £6.5 million tourism regeneration project, the nearby Victorian health spa town of Cromer provides students with an excellent opportunity to study both local regeneration and the impact of declining tourism on a buoyant British seaside town. 20 miles to the south, the medieval city of Norwich offers further opportunities for urban and regeneration studies.

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

- Wrenn School

Centre address: Overstrand Hall 48 Cromer Road Norfolk NR27 OJJ For a full centre activity list visit www.kingswood .co.uk

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• First-rate ICT resources and classroom areas.

• Dedicated field study tutors, experienced in their subjects and passionate about imparting their knowledge to students.

• A range of activities including high ropes and caving to build teamwork and encourage young people to overcome challenges, both as individuals and as a group.

• Comfortable (single sex) dorms that sleep 4-16 students, with teacher accommodation available on each corridor.

• A fully secure site with 24/7 CCTV monitoring for student safety and teachers’ peace of mind.

What’s on offer?

• Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Site of Special Scientific Interest, with woodland and water areas ideal for Environmental Field Studies.

• Next to the Loggerheads Country Park, offering off-site study opportunities.

Colomendy

• A refurbished education block incorporating ICT labs and classrooms.

• Over 40 exhilarating adventure activities, including a 3G swing, a giant zipwire and a purpose built caving system.

• An on-site watersports lake, perfect for teamwork activities.

• Comfortable single sex dorms (some en-suite) for 2-12 young participants, with separate rooms for teachers.

• A fully secure site with 24/7 CCTV monitoring for student safety and teachers’ peace of mind.

North Wales

Situated deep in a Welsh valley and surrounding by 130 acres of rolling hills and natural woodland, Colomendy offers vast open spaces to explore and an amazing environment that both enriches the learning experience and helps young people turn classroom theory into hands-on practice.

With neighbouring mature native woodlands and the Loggerheads Country Park directly overlooking the centre grounds, great care has been taken to protect the native habitats and wildlife, including the endangered Great Crested Newt.

The River Alyn offers students an ideal opportunity to study freshwater invertebrate populations, and the nearby Talacre sand dunes provide an excellent study site for sand dune succession, immediately contrasted with the adjacent salt marshes.

Interesting artefacts from the late Stone Age and Roman occupation have been found locally and neighbouring towns including Llangollen, Chester and the newly regenerated Rhyl prove the ideal destination for urban and tourism studies.

“Fantastic experience. Everything you could ever need is on site with brilliant friendly staff.”

- Dunfermline High

Centre address: Colomendy Loggerheads Nr Mold Flintshire CH7 5LB For a full centre activity list visit www.kingswood .co.uk

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What’s on offer?

• A unique location that engages and inspires young people in their studies.

• Perfect for environmental, history and tourism studies along the Jurassic coast, on the beach and in the towns.

• Located in a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with plenty of natural habitats for young people to explore.

Isle of Wight

• Recent comprehensive investment works provide a wider choice of facilities and recreational areas.

• State-of-the-art ICT labs and environmental classrooms.

South coast

Set in 100 acres of beautiful fields and woodlands, with stunning views over Whitecliff Bay and direct access to the beach, this cliff top centre proves to be a popular choice with teachers and students alike.

estuaries, scattered sand dunes and inland rivers crossing chalk downs. Just over the ridge in the Victorian seaside resort of Sandown, current trends in tourism dictate local prosperity.

Located on the Jurassic coastline and in a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest – the most important area in Europe for fossils, bones and dinosaur remains – the Isle of Wight centre provides superb study opportunities for tourism, regeneration and the environment, with an abundance of

• Over 40 activities including 3G swing and leap of faith to stretch participants and help bolster their confidence.

• Comfortable (single sex) dorms that sleep 4-12 young people, with separate teacher accommodation.

• A fully secure site with 24/7 CCTV monitoring for student safety and teachers’ peace of mind.

“Every one leaves the centre a little prouder, braver and more challenged.”

- St Ives School

Centre address: Kingswood Old School Buildings Hillway Road Bembridge Isle of Wight PO35 5PH For a full centre activity list visit www.kingswood .co.uk

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• Specialist watersports sessions available on a lifeguard patrolled beach, with direct access from the centre at certain times of year.

What’s on offer?

• Outdoor classrooms spread across 50 acres of wetland, delivering interactive learning in orchard, grassland and wooded areas.

NEW

• Sustainable technology including solar panels, wind power and wastewater harvesting that teaches students about our environmental impact.

Dearne Valley

• Excellent conference facilities with breakout rooms ideal for group learning.

• Well-equipped environmental science labs and multi-media areas.

• State-of-the-art activity park including ropes courses, climbing walls and zipwires to challenge young people, build confidence and promote teamwork.

• Comfortable (single sex) en-suite dorms that sleep 4-8 young people, with separate en-suite single rooms for teachers.

• A fully secure site with 24/7 CCTV monitoring for student safety and teachers’ peace of mind.

South Yorkshire

Set in 50 acres of established parkland close to the Peak District National Park, Dearne Valley – the former Earth Centre – is one of the most inspiring education and adventure centres in Europe. Built on a remediated colliery site (demonstrating how damaged areas can be restored) and benefitting from its own water treatment plant and one of Europe’s largest solar panels, this centre can provide a unique Learning Outside the Classroom experience with space to study and grow and a chance to explore the natural world.

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.

Students can experience cultural days out to the historic city of York and, with easy access to Sheffield and Doncaster, study first hand the history of heavy industry and the results of major urban regeneration.

“First class accommodation with a great range of activities to challenge and enthuse all students.”

- Prospect Hill School

Centre address: Dearne Valley Denaby Main Doncaster South Yorkshire, DN12 4EA For a full centre activity list visit www.kingswood .co.uk

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“Our instructor was excellent.

He really enthused the pupils and kept them listening .”

- St Dunstan’s College, London

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Our experienced staff team Dedicated, passionate and highly skilled, our team of environmentalists understand how important the fieldwork element is to the overall study programme. Together they share their knowledge and fascination for the geography and biology of the region, guiding students and groups as they set out on their individual learning journey.

With the support of a dedicated Guest Services Team, each centre is run by an experienced and highly qualified Centre Manager. Our tutors – all of whom have graduated in their specialist area of study – are all trained to meet both internal and external audits in health and safety, first aid and soft skills.

Investment in staff training

Every centre has an on-site Environmental Specialist, responsible for the ongoing training and development of all members of the environmental team, including a regular development programme, with additional training given where necessary. Subjects covered include the latest information about specific content and assessment criteria, general and site specific environmental coaching and health and safety. Our Environmental Specialists also receive their own personal development training that may be externally validated. To ensure we continue to meet the latest curriculum guidelines our team meets throughout the year to formulate fresh courses and discuss the impact of new environmental issues and concerns on our overall programme.

Our rigorous induction procedure

Making sure that we offer our visitors the very best Learning Outside of the Classroom experience is important, so with the help of a qualified occupational tester, new centre instructors are recruited three times a year.

All inductees undergo a full Criminal Records Bureau check with full police clearance before arriving at a Kingswood centre and all references are followed up.

As well as undergoing training in emergency first aid – and being continually assessed in their compliance with Kingswood health and safety procedures – our comprehensive training programme also includes ‘soft skills’ such as learning how to talk to young people and teenagers.

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 technically qualified specialists. Where appropriate, these qualifications conform to the Technical Expert/ Adviser requirements of the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS).

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Safety and peace of mind With over 30 years’ experience welcoming schools, groups and organisations and over 130,000 visitors to our centres every year, we’re proud to have a healthy and safety record that’s second to none.

Health & Safety Policy

All field study trips are underpinned by a comprehensive Health and Safety Policy, written to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act and to acknowledge 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

Our field study sites are regularly used and well known to our tutors and strict policies are in place for the operation of all off-site fieldwork. Operating Procedures cover everything from boarding a coach and crossing a road, to student supervision ratios, clothing requirements, instructor training requirements and systems for remote supervision. Our instructors – all of whom have undergone comprehensive first aid training – always have access to a first aid kit and mobile phone when out in the field. Students receive thorough safety briefings before departing from centre, and all instructors are trained to conduct dynamic risk assessments throughout the

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day to respond to changing environmental conditions. To ensure high standards are maintained and our procedures stay in line with current best practice, experienced field study and health and safety consultants are regularly consulted and audits of field study programmes are conducted by senior staff members.

Risk assessment

It’s essential that our centres operate under strict procedures, so comprehensive risk assessments are conducted on all our off-site programmes before use and all field study venues are vetted for suitability by a senior staff member. Emergency information cards are prepared for each field study site to ensure that in the event of an incident the tutor always has a Plan B. Copies of risk assessments can be downloaded from www.kingswood.co.uk.

On-site care

All Kingswood campuses offer fully secure, clearly defined borders that allow us to maintain the highest safety standards at all times. Where necessary additional security measures have been installed, including barriers, night patrols, security lighting and

CCTV. A Duty Manager and First-Aider are on call 24/7 and an easily recognisable uniform and identification badge are worn

by Kingswood staff at all times.

Our fully equipped (single sex) student dormitories are all warm, comfortable and within easy walking distance of all main areas. Male and female dorms are situated on separate floors, with separate shower and toilet facilities. Teacher bedrooms are close by so students can be easily supervised at all times.

Meeting external standards

All Kingswood centres are inspected and accredited by the British Activity Providers 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.

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

- Swanlea Secondary School, London

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Your questions answered We hope this brochure gives you the information you need. But if you do have any further questions, then you might find the answer below.

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.

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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. A water bottle and day sack are also useful.

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 can arrange travel, just ask your chosen centre and we will provide you with a quote for this service. Alternatively, we 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-today 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: 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.

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.

“Outstanding communication between centre and school to shape first class learning experience - Sir John Cass School

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Step 1

Making a provisional booking

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, just ask your chosen centre and we will provide you with a quote for this service.

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.

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.

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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

Spain – Barcelona

Tenerife

Italy – Bay of Naples

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

+44 (0) 800 655 6564 | kingswood.co.uk | 27

A fantastic opportunity for young people to engage in outdoor education.�

- Cleaswell Hill

kingswood.co.uk | +44 (0) 800 655 6564 Kingswood House | Alkmaar Way | Norwich | NR6 6BF KWUK_BR_19.06.12_648