KS2 Cross-Curricular & John Muir Award The Blencathra Centre occupies a dramatic setting at 300m on a south facing slope of Blencathra in the Lake District National Park and offers an unparalleled panorama across the Keswick, Helvellyn and Skiddaw areas. Fieldwork opportunities at Blencathra take place in and amongst the rugged fells, magnificent glaciated valleys, and nestling villages and towns creating this view. The Centre generates its own hydro-electric power and has recently installed a Biomass District Heating system. Purposely converted from a former Sanatorium, these unique buildings are equipped with interactive whiteboards, visualisers, access to laptops and tablets, and WiFi throughout the centre, offering excellent facilities for schools and universities at all levels. We are also easily accessible by train to Penrith, where the M6 and adjoining A66 also offer quick road links to the centre. Our KS2 courses at FSC Blencathra are designed to meet the specification requirements set out by the National Curriculum, including covering the core science and geography topics, developing geographical skills and providing opportunities for fieldwork. They will also develop their personal, learning and thinking skills through independent enquiry, team-working and reflection. John Muir Award Completion of the course will lead to eligibility for The John Muir Award, an environmental award scheme which takes place in wild places. It encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration. Discover a wild place, explore its wildness, conserve - take personal responsibility and share your experiences. Children will be given John Muir Diaries and have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences each day. This award will run throughout the visit, an introduction at the start of the week with discovering and exploring linked to all sessions including a conservation task, followed by sharing their experience through poems or plays. After returning to school each child will receive a certificate to show their achievement and if desired can go on to the next level.
Geography Courses To fit with the National Curriculum Key Stage 2 Geography Locational Knowledge Identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time Place knowledge Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom Human and physical geography - describe and understand key aspects of: Physical geography, including: vegetation belts, rivers, mountains and the water cycle Human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy and water Geographical skills and fieldwork Use maps to describe features studied Use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom Use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies. TIME TOPIC DESCRIPTION Introduction to the Centre Introduction to the John Muir Award Exploring Place Students are kitted out with the equipment that they will need for their course and eat the packed lunches that they have brought with them. The first session will start after lunch. Who was John Muir? Why is his philosophy relevant today? Find out all about the man behind the award with our activities. Students will be told what the week and the award involves and will be given their John Muir diaries. Threlkeld Village Study: An investigation into the land uses and conflicts within the National Park focussing on the impact that tourism has had on the village and sustainability issues such as the impact of second homes on local services. This will also link to a locality study to investigate how Threlkeld differs from the students own town by looking at services and housing characteristics and whether the village has changed over time. Full Day Rivers & Life Everywhere Geo Journeys, with Green Artist & Literacy Through Landscapes River Study: Students investigate a river environment, taking measurements such as width, depth, velocity to find out how river variables change downstream. This can include a field sketch of the river and its surrounding landforms. This will feed into learning about the water cycle including how the Blencathra centre utilises the local water supply. This can either occur in our local stream Kilnhow Beck or Keskadale Beck which is a 25 minute drive away. Mountain Walk: Explore the wild Lake District through a full day mountain adventure, weather dependant, but usually Latrigg or Cat Bells. The students will learn about the special qualities of the LDNP, how it was formed, how it can be affected by people s activities, and how we can work to conserve a mountain environment. The students will have a chance to practice their map skills when navigating around the route. Geographical themes, historical links, poems and art and crafts will make the day memorable for all. An additional study into the microclimate of a mountain can be added.
or Evening Orienteering Puzzles/ Compass Orienteering Maps and Geometry Explore the beautiful grounds of the Blencathra Centre with panoramic views over the Greta Valley. Learn and use navigation skills including using a map and compass to find a series of points and clues or undertake a 21 st century treasure quest, with geocaching, using handheld satellite navigation devices. Students use various games and activities to get to grips with map work. A large game of outdoor battleships will introduce co-ordinates; they can set themselves a challenge by working up the levels or bronze, silver and gold with grid references; and teams will create 3D and 2D maps of their very own national parks. Science Courses To fit with the National Curriculum Key Stage 2 Science Living things and their habitats Describe the differences in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird Describe the life process of reproduction in some plants and animals. Observe life-cycle changes in a variety of living things, for example animals in the local environment. Work scientifically by observing and comparing the life cycles of plants and animals in their local environment Describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including micro-organisms, plants and animals Give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics Classify animals into commonly found invertebrates (such as insects, spiders, snails, worms) and vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). Use classification systems and keys to identify some animals and plants in the immediate environment. Evolution and inheritance Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of specific adaptations, such as being on two feet rather than four. Rocks Compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of appearance and simple physical properties. Describe simply how fossils are formed. Recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter. TIME TOPIC DESCRIPTION Rivers & Life Everywhere Freshwater River Study: Investigate how the creatures that live in the river have adapted to live there. Using kick sampling to discover life that lurks beneath in a local river, students will use dichotomous keys to classify the species and investigate how the invertebrates have adapted to suit their environment as well as looking at life cycles and processes. This can either occur in our local stream Kilnhow Beck or St John s Beck which is a 15 minute drive away. Secret Ponds Centre Pond Dip: Investigate how the creatures that live in the pond have adapted to live there. Using sweep sampling to discover life that lurks beneath in our pond, students will use dichotomous keys to classify the species and investigate how the invertebrates have adapted to suit their environment as well as looking at life cycles and processes.
Disappearing Animals Invertebrate Hunt: Students will hunt out the creepy crawlies of the Blencathra Centre. Searching though woodland and grassland, the students will identify a range of invertebrates and through keys, discussions and games will investigate the characteristics and adaptations. Evening Disappearing Animals Mammal Trapping: Get up close and personal with local nocturnal animals. Students will set Longworth traps the night before with food and bedding; the following morning, after discussing the likely catches, the students will get to examine the species found such as mice and voles. Science Rocks Rocks and Soils Study: Students will become science detectives to investigate the Earth beneath our feet; using scientific methods to examine the properties of soils including texture, ph and moisture content. As well as investigating our various rocky outcrop specimens to uncover fossils and minerals, and using microscopes to examine marine micro fossils; gaining evidence of what life was like millions of years ago. Tree-mendous Woodland Ecology Study: Students will investigate the structure of a woodland from top to bottom with ecological investigations. They will work on plant and tree identification and abiotic and biotic data collection, as well as the invertebrates that live within the vegetation. Students will also be introduced to the world of carbon storage and how important our trees are. Adventure Courses We are accredited to offer a range of more adventurous activities such as ghyll scrambling and mountain walking; our external provider Live4Adventure* can offer canoeing, rock climbing and abseiling. These offer the students a wonderful opportunity to develop their personal and leadership skills; these courses are designed to be fun, interactive sessions, helping develop team work, communication and initiative. TIME TOPIC DESCRIPTION or Evening Team Challenges Getting to know each other in a new context; improve communication and team work skills via a series of activities including the balance beam, raging torrent, magic cane and team skis. or Evening Night Walk /Nature Walk An exciting short journey in the countryside using all senses to observe the landscape, human impacts, and signs of animal life. An opportunity to team-build through a series of mini-activities in a variety of locations. Evening Music, Stories and Campfires Spend the evening sat round the campfire, toasting marshmallows telling stories and singing songs. Students will also have a play with various musical instruments made from natural materials.
or Evening Full Day or Blindfold Trail Wilderness Bushcraft Conservation Task Ghyll Scrambling Canoeing Abseiling Test your senses and trust in your team mates by being lead blind around our roped woodland trail. Watch out for those obstacles along the way, hold on and step carefully. Students will discover how early settlers would have survived in the wild with bushcraft skills. Learn and use fire lighting skills including using spark sticks in order to maintain an open fire to make hot drinks using camping kettles. Build shelters using tarps, ropes and natural materials found in the woodlands. We will visit Low Bridge End Farm, a diversified hill farm in St John s in the Vale, using their hillside woodland. Students will undertake conservation on the centre grounds or a local nature site which could include removal of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam, brashing in the woodland, tree planting or wild flower sewing. Tasks vary depending on season or jobs needed, often they contribute to the workings of a working site to help children understand the importance of conservation to the habitats and wildlife of the Lake District. This could be included into another day such as the mountain walk and is a vital part in their completion of the John Muir Award. Utilise coordination, resilience and team work to splash your way up a classic Lake District Ghyll before taking a plunge! There are lots of options on this Ghyll scramble and it can be made as easy or as challenging as you like as you climb up and dunk under waterfalls, crawl through tunnels and clamber over rocks. Honister Ghyll is accessed from the village of Seatoller at the end of the Borrowdale valley. Ghyll sessions are run between March and October (weather dependent) on a 1:12 ratio; every 12 students after that will incur an additional charge of 120. Using an outside provider Live4Adventure (www.live4adventure.co.uk), the students can test their skills on the water. Paddle out to an island on Derwent Water or follow the River Derwent as far as you can for a different view of the Lake District. Develop your team work as communication and co-ordination are essential for this challenge. This will incur an additional charge from Live4Adventure of 23 per student. Using an outside provider Live4Adventure (www.live4adventure.co.uk), students build trust through stepping over the edge and abseiling down some of the Lake District s classic rock faces. This will incur an additional charge from Live4Adventure of 23 per student. Rock Climbing Using an outside provider Live4Adventure (www.live4adventure.co.uk), students build confidence, agility and coordination by scaling rock faces in the birthplace of British climbing. This will incur an additional charge from Live4Adventure of 23 per student. *For further information on Live4Adventure, their LOtC Quality Badge and AALA Licence, and the activities they offer please visit their website at www.live4adventure.co.uk For copies of Live4Adventures risk assessments please request these from your course tutor. Additional Notes Once you have booked your visit, your tutor will get in touch with you to discuss the programme for your course. Please feel free to request further details on the content, learning objectives and outcomes for each session we teach. The order of days and location of study sites may be varied due to the weather, and to avoid equipment/transport clashes.
Students may want to bring a pencil case and note book for any classroom work we may do; a camera is also useful. Course leaders are advised to bring a memory stick or portable hard drive onto which resources can be saved. Students will undertake activities outdoors for extended periods of time and should therefore be dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. They will need a rucksack, walking boots with ankle support, wellies, a waterproof jacket with hood and waterproof trousers (your tutor will confirm this). If students don t own these items, they can hire these from the centre upon arrival (the hire cost is included within the course fee). A Typical Day We make the most of your time whilst at the centre. A typical day would normally consist of meeting the group at 9am or 9.30am (depending on breakfast time) to check kit and equipment for the day. Sessions will then begin either on site, or we will drive to sites elsewhere; journeys to sites should take no more than 30 minutes. On return to the centre in the afternoon, the students enjoy a break before dinner at either 5.30pm or 6pm. After dinner there will be an on-site session that will last around 1 hour. Transport Transport to the fieldwork sites can be arranged by you (e.g. school minibuses or coach) or provided by Blencathra Field Studies Centre. Use of our transport will incur an additional cost of 8 per student for each day s travel- reduced to 6 for each student drive by your staff in our minibuses and 9-seat cars. An invoice will be made out to the school and sent out to the organiser immediately after the course. If you have agreed to drive during the course, please complete a driving form and provide us with a copy of your driving licence photocard in advance. We can also provide a shuttle service to and from Penrith railway station which will incur an additional charge of 16 per student. Health & Safety All tutored sessions are risk assessed and led by experienced teaching staff with specialist knowledge and fieldwork expertise. All education staff hold first aid qualifications and are trained in H&S and group management. The FSC and Live4Adventure holds the Quality Badge from The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, which is awarded to organisations which have demonstrated that they consistently deliver high quality teaching and learning experiences and manage risk effectively. Blencathra Field Studies Centre is one of 20 centres in the UK run by the Field Studies Council, an independent education charity committed to bringing environmental understanding to all. We offer tailor-made packages for schools and youth groups as well as providing outreach education and adult training. Leading the field in innovative, effective and enjoyable approaches to learning outside the classroom, we are confident of providing a safe, secure and caring atmosphere in which students will widen their environmental understanding, improve their motivation and develop their personal and social skills. We can accommodate up to 140 people full-board, including a self-contained, self-catering unit for up to 26 people and offer a choice of half or full day sessions. Follow us on Twitter: @blencathrafsc & @Lakesfieldwork