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Geography Southwest Newsbites September 2022

Written by John Davidson | Posted on the 14th September 2022

The Geography Southwest September 2022 Newsbites brings you details of exciting autumn events, new resources and recent news items as the new school year begins.

During the summer, we have refreshed some aspects of the website,  introduced a new SW Geography Conference page, and added a regular Primary Newsbites under Primary News. We welcome Alan Parkinson to the Geography Southwest team to edit this feature with continued support from Emma Espley. You can find the September 2022 Primary newbites on the Primary news page with a link to the full pdf.

The June SW Geography conference in association with the RGS-IBG and the University of the West of England was a very successful event with over 70 teachers attending. There is a report here including links to the presentations and powerpoints  The 2023 SW Geography conference will take place on  Monday 26 June 2023, at UWE, Bristol.

We have added several new resources to the website this summer. They include:

The autumn term is a busy time for talks and events, and highlights are featured below. Do encourage your students to enter the RGS Young Geographer of the Year competition (deadline Monday 3 October 2022) which this year focusses on geographical features and places either local or further afield. Royal Geographical Society - 2022 competition - Young Geographer of the Year (rgs.org)

Geography events

CCERN webinars: The Climate Change Education Network (CCERN) is launching a new series of webinars on Wednesday 5th October, 3.30-5pm, starting with Enacting Climate Change Education: the DfE sustainability strategy and beyond. CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION WEBINAR Tickets, Wed 5 Oct 2022 at 15:30 | Eventbrite.  The CCERN website  also has links to previous events, resources and recordings.

Hodder are running their new Hazards Conference for A level students at three locations in November, providing the opportunity to inspire your students with a day of insights from leading geographers working on the latest academic research and Hazards topics.  The 2022 Hazards Student Conference - Hodder Education

  • Albert Hall, Nottingham: Friday, 18th November 2022
  • Audacious Church, Manchester: Wednesday, 23rd November 2022
  • Aldwych Theatre, London: Friday, 25th November 2022

Hodder Education's expert panel will inspire your students with the most contemporary research, giving them real-world insights that they can turn into greater knowledge and apply in their studies.

The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) updated programme of events for the autumn term can be found on their website and includes:

The Geographical Association autumn term events programme includes a three session on-line course for teachers of geography, Quality Secondary Geography for non-specialists which begins on Tuesday 13 September, and a series of five 40 minute webinars for students 'Writing up your NEA' which begins on Monday 26 September. Search the Geographical Association events and courses (geography.org.uk)

There is also a full day online e-conference on Saturday 1 October Leading a successful department for new and aspiring Heads of Geography. Early career teachers and initial teacher education geography trainees have a dedicated e-conference on Saturday 8 October.  Early career geography teacher e-conference: how to build a geographer.

Generation Wild free nature connection programme for schools continues with bookings being taken for dates up to summer 2023.

Over 10,000 children have already taken part in the Generation Wild programme which is a nature connection programme for schools in economically disadvantaged areas. Children follow the magical story of Ava the bird girl, a character who is brought to life during a visit to the wetland centre. They then complete activities back at school and at home to connect with nature and receive their certificates and membership badges as they become ‘Guardians of the Wild’.

The project includes FREE school visits (including FREE transport) as well as FREE return visits enabling children to share the magic with their families. Curriculum resource packs so you can tie the project in with your class topics.

We recommend planning ahead and booking for a time of year when you are delivering a relevant topic. This might include work on nature, the environment, animals, habitats, food chains, journeys / migration or work focusing on Africa (Ava migrates to Africa).

At the Slimbridge Wetland Centre, the project is open to any school with 25% or more pupils eligible for free school meals. Find out more at www.generationwild.org.uk

Geography resources

Hodder have produced a new enquiry based resource Progress in Geography: Key Stage 3 to support teachers planning their Key Stage 3 curriculum. More details can be found here: https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/geography?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=advert&utm_campaign=southwest_geography_2022

SWEEP resources:

SWEEP is the South West Partnership for Environment & Economic Prosperity (SWEEP), a new initiative that will help deliver economic and community benefits to the South West, whilst also protecting and enhancing the area's natural resources. It is a collaboration of research institutes, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council’s Regional Impact from Science of the Environment programme for 5 years. Their website has resources on Natural Capital with local examples from the South West. SWEEP Expo: Natural Capital in the South West – Resources – The South West Partnership for Environmental and Economic Prosperity

A new resource section is on Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) with examples of good practice and case studies from Devon and Bristol.  Sustainable Drainage Resource Hub – The South West Partnership for Environmental and Economic Prosperity (sweep.ac.uk)

 

Gov.UK resources: News of two new flood alleviation projects can be found on the Gov.UK website. There is a summary of the aims of the Salisbury River Park, and how it will better protect homes and business from flooding. Salisbury River Park construction begins

A local example of flood protection benefitting over 100 homes on the River Test in Romsey, Hampshire, is featured in this summary: Official opening for Romsey Flood Alleviation Scheme

Wicked Weather Watch www.wickedweatherwatch.org.uk provides talks, classroom activities and aimed at primary school children. Book now if you are interested in having a fun engaging and uplifting climate change workshop, an Arctic explorer, or a climate change expert talk, and reserve your space soon. Children can hear about experiences in the arctic and Antarctic, try on expedition gear and learn more about these extreme environments and the impacts of climate change.

Discover the World Classroom Resources (discover-the-world.com)have added to their range of free resources including interactive GIS Maps of Iceland & Mallorca and classroom resources, bringing the sights and sounds of these destinations to your classroom. Informative videos including our popular case studies on Eyjafjallajokull and Solheimajokull, and a new case study resource pack on Fagradalsfjall, the new volcano on the Reykjanes peninsular which renewed its eruptions in summer 2022. Fagradalsfjall Case Study Resource Pack (discover-the-world.com)

The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Subject Knowledge Programme has added more units. Royal Geographical Society - Geography resources for teachers (rgs.org)

Tectonic Processes and Impacts, and Race, Identity and Diversity in Geography have joined existing units Global Systems; Global Governance; Changing Places (Urban and Rural); Water and Carbon; Landscapes, coasts, drylands and rivers; and Fieldwork and GIS. These online resources have been developed by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), with support from the DfE. They are specially aimed at trainee/early career geography teachers.  www.rgs.org/skp

Time for Geography Time for Geography | Home has added topical new videos on food resources. Food in the UK: Changes in production and demand, and Challenges of global food supply chains. These short 6-8 minute knowledge boosters provide an excellent way to introduce a topic, or to provide a revision summary. Food in the UK: Changing food production and demand (timeforgeography.co.uk)

Geography news

Bristol Zoo is moving. Bristol Zoo is moving from its Clifton Site, which closed at the start of September. The exciting new zoo, due to open in 2025, will immerse the vistors and animals in the natural landscape. It will focus on education and scientific research programmes linked to wildlife that is in danger of extinction, working with a network of partner organisations.  The new zoo will be located at the Wild Place project site by the M5 near Cribbs Causeway and will be a centre of global understanding and action. The current Clifton site will be sold, once all the animals have moved. Our Future | Bristol Zoo

 

Expansion of new towns to the east of Exeter.

A second new town is being planned for an area to the east of the M5, south of the A30 near Exeter. Development is likely to begin in the 2030s with initially around 2500 homes planned and potentially up to 10,000 homes by 2040.

The current development of the new town of Cranbrook, between Exeter and Exeter airport is likely to be expanded. In 2022, Cranbrook had 2500 homes and a population of approximately 6000 people, but the plan is now to increase the size of the town to 7740 homes with a total population of 18000. Construction is about to begin on a long-awaited shopping centre and town square which will include a large supermarket and other retailing outlets. The future plans include new schools, a community centre, open spaces, woodland areas and possibly a second railway station to be called Cranbrook East on the line from Exeter to Honiton and London. Cranbrook's expansion plan is being altered - Devon Live

Sidmouth cliff continues to suffer rockfalls during summer 2022

The unprotected cliffs at Pennington Point, East Beach at the east end of Sidmouth sea front, in East Devon have suffered a series of dramatic rockfalls this summer. Sidmouth cliff falls send clouds of dust into air - BBC News    Several rockfalls have occurred, including major collapses on Monday 25 July, Wednesday 27 July, Monday 8 August, Saturday 13 August and Monday 22 August.  No one has been injured in the recent falls but East Beach has been closed by the police and the public advised to keep away. The cliff falls have affected the gardens of properties at the top of the cliff.

There is very little beach material in front of the cliffs at high tide and undermining of the cliffs by wave attack can trigger rockfalls. Much of the cliff material is a clay mudstone. The long period of dry weather this summer may have made this cliffs more friable and liable to collapse. No one has been injured in the recent falls but the public have been advised to keep away. 13/8, 22/8, The cliff falls have affected the gardens of properties at the top of the cliff. Geologists are also concerned that the moisture from a period of wet weather following the summer drought could further weaken the rocks and trigger further falls this autumn.

There are plans for an additional beach management scheme to protect East Cliff, involving a rock groyne and import of gravel for beach nourishment. This could cost over £ 5 million, and if permission is given, work is unlikely to start before 2025. Geologists are also concerned that the moisture from a period of wet weather following the summer drought could further weaken the rocks and trigger further falls this autumn. Use the following links to see pictures and videos of the rockfalls.

https://eastdevonnews.co.uk/2022/08/09/sidmouth-cliff-fall-east-beach-is-closed-to-the-public/

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/four-thundering-cliff-falls-sidmouth-7494450.amp

 

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