The benefits of a Field Studies trip to Kingswood

Inspire and immerse your students in some of the best human and physical geography field studies locations in the UK! Field studies residentials are a unique and exciting way for students to learn and explore the natural world around them. At Kingswood, our immersive field studies programmes offer a range of benefits, from hands-on learning and team-building, increased mental health and well-being, to an exciting element of adventure! Take a look at some of the key benefits of embarking on a Kingswood field studies trip.

Immersive learning

Field studies provide a hands-on approach to learning that can’t be replicated in the classroom. These immersive experiences give students the opportunity to engage with the natural environment around them, from collecting and identifying different types of flora and fauna to investigating ecosystems and conducting scientific experiments. Our specialist instructors have exceptional knowledge of our environments, leading and teaching large or small groups of students every step of the way. Discover dynamic coastlines, see our local woodlands through the eyes of our native red squirrel, explore rocky shores to local rivers.

After a day out in the field, give your students a well-deserved break participating in one of the many fun activities that our centres offer! Our resilience-building programmes are designed to ensure meaningful and tangible learning outcomes for students are delivered through and through. It’s not just about having boat-loads of fun - Kingswood residentials offer a chance to learn essential life skills such as confidence, team work, resilience, problem solving, communication and leadership (to name a few). These are vital skills that not only compliment the ethic of field work, but provide transferable learning opportunities which can be used back in the classroom.

Team building

Fieldwork trips provide an excellent opportunity for students to develop teamwork and collaboration skills. Working in groups means students can learn to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and support each other in achieving shared goals. This type of experience is particularly beneficial for students who struggle with teamwork or who may be shy or introverted. A shared sense of experience or adventure is hugely beneficial when it comes to making memories and new friendships! Kingswood provide a supportive and safe environment in which students can build confidence and develop new skills across our many activity centres. A day trip or residential is a sure-fire way to heighten a student’s educational experience in the outdoors.

Mental health and well-being

Being in nature has been proven to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and increase overall feelings of happiness and well-being.  According to The World Health Organisation, having good health is defined as being in a “state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing.”* Physical activity in nature and the feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves can positively enhance our moods. Fieldwork trips, like many other outdoor activities, can provide an opportunity for students to disconnect from technology and the stresses of everyday life. This can be particularly beneficial for students who may struggle with anxiety or who have difficulty switching off from social media and other digital distractions. As fieldwork trips are fundamentally educational and curriculum-linked, the outdoors give perfect opportunities for students to get upmost focus and stress-free experiences with school work. Outdoor adventure activities, which we have around 50 of at each Kingswood centre, are an excellent means to further minimise the stress of that work!

Experiences for many!

At Kingswood, we provide fieldwork experiences to a wide range of academic levels, from KS2 to A Level. Primary School students are educated on the natural landscapes and environments as part of their designed Kingswood programme on a centre visit with engaging exploration from rocky shores to woodlands and rivers. KS3 Geography students can discover a similar range of environments in preparations for future GCSE and A-Level investigations. For GCSE, our programmes are designed to meet the needs of your chosen specification and study focus. In addition to pre-planned investigations, we have developed a popular NEA programme for A Level students. They can undertake fully independent investigations with trained instructors on hand to facilitate and advise in their research, methodology development and collection of their primary data. We also provide brilliant Biology fieldwork! Bring ecology to life using our specially trained and passionate instructors. Combine your trip with a visit to a local nature reserve to learn more about ongoing conservation efforts.

We pride ourselves on the knowledge and experience of our staff. Your pupils are in safe hands from the moment they arrive and we will make sure the trip meets the needs of their studies.

Learn more about our field studies at Kingswood and explore our offers and participating centres here.

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* World Health Organisation, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression, July 2019