We offer a range of geographical activities that cover both human and physical aspects of the subject. There is a long sandy beach where children can examine beach profiles and erosion in a hands-on exercise. The geology of the bay is really interesting with contrasting cliff structures of limestone and sandstone. Fossilised corals that are 376 million years old can be found on the beach, along with patches of peat from an ancient forest.

We also take a look at orientation, using landmarks to map the physical features of the beach.

Tourism plays a major part in the life of Goodrington Sands. The children investigate the effect of tourism on the beach and assess the amenities offered using maps and answering questions. We take a look at the rubbish humans’ leave behind after a day on the beach and have a brainstorm to gather ideas from the children on how to manage the area better.

• Beach Profiles

  • Gradient of beach

  • Wave action

  • Sand deposits

• Erosion

  • Coastal defences- linked from prior schoolwork normally

  • Forming landscapes

  • Counting waves- seeing whether they are passive or aggressive

• Mapping

  • Orientation, looking at different land marks on the beach.

• Human Tourism

  • Using maps to see all the amenities offered at the beach

  • Who are the amenities for- locals / tourists

  • Whether they are seasonal or all year

  • Why things are there- why are such large car parks needed etc

  • Looks at human rubbish- litter bins- are there enough

  • How to improve the area.

• Time: depends on which activities are chosen.

• Maximum group size:1:10 adult:child ratio

• Age: All ages.

Relevant parts of the National Curriculum.

GEOGRAPHY

Primary

• Unit 4: Going to the seaside.

  • To name and investigate a place.

  • To use geographical terms.

  • Identify major geographical features.
     

• Unit 6: Investigating our local area.

  • Explanations of physical features using appropriate geographical terms and offer appropriate observations about patterns in the area.

• Unit 8: Improving the environment.

  • How people affect the environment.

  • How and why people seek to manage and sustain their environment.

  • To investigate places.
     

• Unit 23: Investigating coasts.

  • Learn about the physical features of coasts and the processes of erosion and deposition that affect them.

  • To use appropriate geographical vocabulary.

  • How do waves shape coastal environments?

  • What is a beach?
     

Secondary:

• Unit 8: Coastal environments.

  • What is weathering? How does weathering affect different types of rocks?

  • To identify the environmental conditions which cause weathering.

  • To identify agents of erosion.

  • How is the Coast shaped by wave action?

  • Identify characteristic landforms.

  • How wave action shapes the coastal landscape.
     

• Unit 13: Limestone landscapes of England.

• Unit 19: Tourism- Good or bad?

  • To classify different types of holiday.

  • What is tourism?

  • How important is tourism as an economic activity?

  • How and why is the tourist industry changing?

  • What is the impact of the tourist industry? Good or bad?