Is a residential fieldtrip really beyond reach?
In this April 2023 guest blog, Chloë Searl, an independent field studies tutor, author, educational consultant, examiner and freelance geographer on the Isle of Wight looks at the advantages of residential fieldwork and how teachers can make this possible and affordable. Her guest blog includes ten questions to help teachers plan their residential experience.
Is a residential fieldtrip really beyond reach? This lament is well-felt in geography departments across the country: the desire to see students immerse themselves in an environment totally different to their home, superseded by the knowledge that financially, residential fieldwork is beyond the department means. Anecdotally, we know the additional benefits that residentials can have over day trips; more time to create meaningful geographical connections, a more immersive and memorable student experience, as well as more focussed learning (something of particular value to the completion of the A Level NEA).
Educators across all subjects and phases have long expressed concerns over real-term funding cuts, most recently voiced through strike action across the UK. Teachers and lecturers across the geographical education spectrum have raised the alarm that financial conditions are compromising the ability of schools to practically deliver the statutory fieldwork requirements at key stage four and five, and to do so in a way that produces high quality geographical learning experiences for students. As many department heads will attest, the cost of equipment, transport, and in the case of residential trips, accommodation and sustenance, makes fieldwork the single most expensive aspect of delivering the examination specifications. Staffing fieldwork is also difficult for many departments, with leadership teams not always able to authorise teacher absences based on the financial cost of their cover. Even the most creative teachers may find that they have to compromise the geographical experiences their students have in order to satisfy the practical constraints of their budget. Attending a course at a residential field centre can therefore seem, to many schools, like a pipe dream.
Field studies centres are frequently seen as businesses first and educators second; a somewhat unfair association given that many centres actually operate as registered charities and have trustees who ensure schools are consistently offered value for money, regardless of the wider economic climate. Therefore, teachers should not automatically assume the role of a hard-nosed consumer when approaching these centres for quotes. Instead, teachers should be open about the common goals that they and these centres share, which in turn can open new avenues for dialogue and creative thinking. If they enter conversations with a flexible mindset, and establish a collaborative working relationship with centre tutors, residential fieldwork may become more attainable than previously thought.
Where field centres are not an option, it is worth exploring the cost of hiring a local independent field studies tutor for the duration of your trip. Not only will they be able to provide detailed local geographical knowledge of the areas you are studying, they will also provide equipment and resources, as well as be a lot more flexible in the way they approach the objectives you have for your fieldtrip, often tailor-making field sessions to suit the needs of your students. As independent tutors, they tend to have smaller overheads and will be able to offer expert tuition at a fraction of the cost of a field studies centre, as well as offer discounts for returning groups. Importantly, they will also have advice about places that can provide affordable group accommodation, local transport options and other ways in which you might be able to get most value out of your budget. Do look at the ten key questions to ask your fieldwork provider listed at the end of this article.
So, before dismissing the idea of doing residential fieldwork, take some time to explore the different options available to you. It's worth it!
Here are ten key questions to ask your fieldwork provider.
| On a tight budget? Ten key questions to ask your fieldwork provider
When are your peak and off-peak seasons? Traditionally, centres and independent tutors are busiest from May to June and from September to October. You may get excellent value for money by planning a trip in quieter times.
Do you offer cheaper weekend rates? If your party is willing to give up part of their free time, you may have access to lower tariff and transport costs.
What is the minimum number of days/nights we can book with you? To satisfy the four days at A Level it may be possible to book two ‘skills days’ in an off-peak season and two days later in the year for NEA data collection.
What is your minimum/maximum group size? Can I combine year groups? Most residential centres and independent tutors offer better rates for larger groups. It may be possible to combine two year groups and design a fieldwork programme around the learning outcomes for both cohorts.
Do you offer a special time of year for small groups? Some centres and independent tutors offer ‘small group fortnights’ where multiple schools are tutored together to make the experience more cost effective. It may be worth speaking to other schools (for example, those in your academy trust) to see if sharing transport costs is possible.
Can our field programme cover different curriculum areas? With plenty of cross-over content between geography and other subjects it may be possible to make the fieldwork viable for a combined subject cohort. This may reduce the transport and cover costs which would otherwise prohibit both departments from doing fieldwork.
Can I hire equipment and self-tutor? You may be able to use the centre, for part or all of your stay, as a base for your own teaching, reducing the cost of using a centre tutor. Or, local tutors could cover the day activities, with teachers taking over for any twilight classroom sessions.
Can you pick us up from the station/bus stop? Even if field centres wish to charge you a small pick-up fee, it may still be cheaper overall if you can use public transport for the bulk of your journey to them.
Do you have a bursary? As part of their charitable status, some field centres and independent tutors have bursary schemes for students (such as providing a discount for those who receive pupil premium funding).
Can I produce my own course materials? It may be cheaper for schools to bear the cost of any necessary reprographics, reducing the overall quote from the centre or tutor.
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About the author: Chloë Searl (FRGS, CGeog) - Chloë is an independent field studies tutor, author, educational consultant, examiner and freelance geographer on the Isle of Wight. She has written award-winning teaching resources and produces a wide variety of free to download guides through her website www.theislandgeographer.co.uk. Chloe works with countless geographical organisations and bodies with the aim to provide high quality fieldwork opportunities for all geography students through CPD sessions and speaking regularly at events and conferences.
Contact: chloe@theislandgeographer.co.uk or follow on Twitter through @theislandgeogr
Image sources: The Island Geographer - Resources, Fieldwork & CPD