Field Trip to Switzerland 2007
After two successful trips in 2005 and 2006 this summer the Geography Department is again offering an overseas trip to our IGCSE students. The trip is scheduled for June 27th to July 4th 2007 and will be to a field study centre run by the well respected UK educational tour operator PGL tours in Saas Grund, Switzerland. There are two reasons why this area has been chosen.
Firstly, the Valais area of Southern Switzerland close to Italy is one of the most spectacular in the Alps. The village itself is in a high mountain valley of outstanding natural beauty surrounded by the high Alps with eighteen mountains of over four thousand metres close by. We will explore this region by cable car and visit the spectacular natural phenomenon of the Altesch glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. The Alps in July is the ideal time to visit when the Alpine summer brings sunshine to the valleys and gives incredible views of the surrounding peaks. The Alps themselves will offer a wholly new experience for many of our students and we hope that this trip will open their eyes to one of the natural wonders of the world.
Secondly, students will gain the opportunity to study a wide range of topics from the IGCSE syllabus under the supervision of a properly qualified guide leading the trip. Fieldwork is an integral part of the IGCSE syllabus and this trip will give students valuable fieldwork experience and a wide range of good case studies of all areas of the course syllabus. All of which will help the students a great deal in their exams in the 5th year. The topics to be studied during our stay include:
Firstly, the Valais area of Southern Switzerland close to Italy is one of the most spectacular in the Alps. The village itself is in a high mountain valley of outstanding natural beauty surrounded by the high Alps with eighteen mountains of over four thousand metres close by. We will explore this region by cable car and visit the spectacular natural phenomenon of the Altesch glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. The Alps in July is the ideal time to visit when the Alpine summer brings sunshine to the valleys and gives incredible views of the surrounding peaks. The Alps themselves will offer a wholly new experience for many of our students and we hope that this trip will open their eyes to one of the natural wonders of the world.
Secondly, students will gain the opportunity to study a wide range of topics from the IGCSE syllabus under the supervision of a properly qualified guide leading the trip. Fieldwork is an integral part of the IGCSE syllabus and this trip will give students valuable fieldwork experience and a wide range of good case studies of all areas of the course syllabus. All of which will help the students a great deal in their exams in the 5th year. The topics to be studied during our stay include:
- Glaciers and their effect on the landscape
- Alpine ecosystems
- Management of tourist areas
- River environments and management
- Hydro electric power
- Settlement patterns in village and town.
- Urban management
- Data collection and questionnaire designing
Costs for this trip depend on group size. We are limited to a group size maximum of 35-40 students.
These costs include the following:
These costs include the following:
- Flights to Milan
- All transport costs to and from airports and in Saas Grund itself
- Accommodation in shared rooms in the Hotel Rodania (3 star)
- Full board in the hotel
- Insurance
- Study materials and expert guide
Students should not require any further money on the trip except for a little pocket money.
The Geography Department regrets that a limit has to be placed on the numbers we are allowed to take with us due to logistics and safety. Please note this is a limit set by the educational tour company and not ourselves.
The Geography Department regrets that a limit has to be placed on the numbers we are allowed to take with us due to logistics and safety. Please note this is a limit set by the educational tour company and not ourselves.
