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Research shows that fieldwork has a positive impact on pupils’ engagement with their learning; increases their knowledge, skills and understanding; supports their achievement; improves their resilience, self-confidence and wellbeing; and boosts cohesion and a sense of belonging. Yet we are at a pivotal moment for geography fieldwork in schools.
The report High-quality geography fieldwork for all draws on the views of over 400 teachers who responded to GA consultations on fieldwork and the geography curriculum, as well as evidence from schools’ submissions to the GA’s Geography Quality Mark accreditation and discussions with geography teachers and key stakeholders.
The aim is to provide a vision of high-quality geography fieldwork for all that is:
- embedded: woven into a planned curriculum that allows for both breadth and depth
- meaningful: connecting real-world and hands-on experiences with the power of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills
- inclusive: equitable and accessible for all
- collaborative: with joined-up thinking and action across schools and other organisations
- demonstrates progression: providing a holistic and mapped progression of knowledge, skills and fluency from EYFS to key stage 5
- encourages pupil agency: empowering them to be curious and engage in fieldwork independently
- sustainable: providing sustainable fieldwork for active citizens that develops young peoples’ ‘green skills’.
The report’s author, Dr Becky Kitchen, commented:
‘This report attempts to draw together some key ideas and provide examples of high-quality fieldwork in primary and secondary schools. However, it is also designed to be used as a practical document for teachers to use as they are thinking about and planning their fieldwork. There is hopefully something for everyone: for schools where fieldwork is well-developed and embedded, to those who are just starting their journey. As we have been doing during this month of the National Festival of Fieldwork, there is much to celebrate.’
The GA is currently preparing its new 2025–30 strategic plan and this report, as well as the National Plan for Fieldwork it includes, will help to shape some of the thinking behind it.
You can download the report here
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