Nature days can provide two options for the requirements for Unit 2 of the Made for Wales Ready for the world GCSE Geography starting teaching 2026.

Option 1:

Field work skills day.

This one day field trip will provide skills in the six stages of the enquiry process and provide data for follow up data analysis and presentation.

The focus will be on planning an enquiry and collecting the data:

• Selecting the correct location
• Designing a suitable enquiry question
• Using maps to locate fieldwork sites
• Risk assessment
• Ethical data collection
• Sampling approaches
• Data collection – qualitative and quantitative

This field work day will provide skills required for students to undertake the planning for their NEA assessment for Unit 2.

A number of locations can be visited and can either be linked to where the NEA will take place or contrasting.

Rivers

The characteristics of river landforms, flood risk and management and sustainability.

Coasts:
The characteristics of coastal features, coastal defences and sustainability.

Weather:

Microclimate in built up and natural environment.

Retail in urban areas:
Looking at the concept of place and how it changes using a range of qualitative methods to cover all aspects of the enquiry process.

Land use:

How land use has changed over time.

Sustainability:

Urban and rural sustainable environments using Egan’s wheel

Option 2:

Two day option includes the half a day on field work skills outlined above, followed by a preliminary enquiry focusing on their NEA.

• Investigate potential topics to investigate in their enquiry question
• Identify risks
• Explore selecting data collection sites(s)
• Explore potential data collection methods
• Explore sampling methods and size
• Experiment with results tables
• Try GIS tools such as survey123

Schools will then go back to school and use the skills and experience from day 1 to plan their NEA and undertake task 1 and 2.

Once ready the class will return to the selected location for their NEA and day 2 will provide opportunity for data collection.

NEA day 2:

• Identify location for data collection on site
• Undertake data collection using equipment provided
• Evaluate the sampling and data collection techniques

By the end of day 2 the students will have collected all their data for their NEA and should have completed task 1 and 2. Then back at school they can complete the rest of the NEA using the data.

Support will be given to teachers on choosing the right location to allow all students to access the requirements of the NEA based on the topics set by WJEC.

This course can be undertaken over a series of INSETs or online and face to face ADDS sessions to cover all aspects of integrating outdoor learning into the curriculum for Wales.

Content is bespoke to your school and can cover aspects such as:

• Starting out. How to teach a four purpose based curriculum through outdoor learning.
• Auditing what you do now and your school grounds. – Making the best use of what you have.
• Barriers to outdoor learning and overcoming them. – Tips and tricks to make outdoor learning easier. 
• Integrating outdoor learning into your planning. – Embedding outdoor learning into teaching. 
• A whole school approach – Systemic changes to embed outdoor learning into your school. Creating an outdoor learning policy. 
• Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Science and technology AOLE. 
• Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Maths and numeracy AOLE. 
• Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Language, Literacy and communication AOLE. 
• Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Humanities AOLE 
• Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Expressive arts AOLE 
• Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Health and Wellbeing AOLE
• Cross curricular project ideas to teach through outdoor learning.
• Assessment of learning and for learning in outdoor learning. 
• Risk assessments and risk benefit analysis. 
•  Progression and differentiation in outdoor learning. -The pedagogy of outdoor learning. 
• School grounds developments. – How to use and develop your school grounds to support outdoor learning. 
•  Becoming sector leading in outdoor learning. – Putting outdoor learning at the heart of your school’s curriculum.

Presented by Dawn Thomas of Nature Days, an independent field studies provider and consultant. Dawn has over 20 years experience of teacher training in outdoor learning and developed resources for outdoor learning for NRW, The National Trust, local councils, and is the Welsh field studies adviser for Geography at WJEC.

Nature Days also provides teacher training and support on using the outdoors to teach, focusing especially on the Curriculum for Wales and how it can be accessed through outdoor learning.

These sessions are suitable for school leaders in outdoor learning, class teachers _ foundation pahse and KS2, TAs and other school leaders.

The sessions will take you on a journey towards using your school grounds and local area to effectively teach the four purposes of the new curriculum for Wales. Each session builds on the last so that you will finish with an in-depth understanding of what outdoor learning is and how it can be used in your school. Each session will be supported by an in-school task to help you integrate aspects of the session into your school.

Prices are based on one day and depend on the number of staff attending and subsistence expenses, we are based in South Wales but will travel. A series of sessions is available, contact naturedays@reynoldston.com for details.

I have created a 20 session teacher training package which will provide you with all the skills you need to embed effective, meaningful, impactful outdoor learning in your school.

These sessions are suitable for school leaders in outdoor learning, class teachers, TAs and other school leaders.

The sessions will take you on a journey towards using your school grounds and local area to effectively teach the four purposes of the new curriculum for Wales. Each session builds on the last so that you will finish with an in-depth understanding of what outdoor learning is and how it can be used in your school. Each session will be supported by an in-school task to help you integrate aspects of the session into your school.

By the end of the course you will have a portfolio of ideas to share with your staff and a plan for taking the new curriculum for Wales and making it bespoke to your school’s outdoor space.

Sessions can be booked on separately. Sessions last 2 hours and are undertaken as a twilight. Cost is £10 per person per session for online training. Buy tickets here.

Session 1: Starting out. How to teach a four purpose based curriculum through outdoor learning.

Session 2: Auditing what you do now and your school grounds. – Making the best use of what you have.

Session 3: Barriers to outdoor learning and overcoming them. – Tips and tricks to make outdoor learning easier.

Session 4: Integrating outdoor learning into your planning. – Embedding outdoor learning into teaching.

Session 5: A whole school approach – Systemic changes to embed outdoor learning into your school. Creating an outdoor learning policy.

Session 6: Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Science and technology AOLE.

Session 7: Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Maths and numeracy AOLE

Session 8: Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Language, Literacy and communication AOLE.

Session 9: Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Humanities AOLE

Session 10: Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Expressive arts AOLE

Session 11: Practical ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Health and Wellbeing AOLE

Session 12: Cross curricular project ideas to teach through outdoor learning. – Using the wider local area as well as school grounds.

Session 13: Assessment of learning and for learning in outdoor learning.

Session 14: Risk assessments and risk benefit analysis.

Session 15: Becoming sector leading in outdoor learning. – Putting outdoor learning at the heart of your school’s curriculum.

Session 16: Meaningful school trips. – Using learning outside the classroom experiences effectively.

Session 17: Undertaking meaningful field trips. – Planning and designing your own field trips.

Session 18: Progression and differentiation in outdoor learning. -The pedagogy of outdoor learning.

Session 19: School grounds developments. – How to use and develop your school grounds to support outdoor learning.

Session 20: Sharing best practice. Discussion of what has worked in your journey of embedding outdoor learning into your school.

Booking available on Eventbrite

Price for each session is £10 per person or £200 per person for all 20

Nature Days can provide expert advice and training for taking your learning outdoors.

Reduce the pressure on your indoor areas by using the school grounds for teaching.

Dawn Thomas is a qualified teacher with 20 years experience of teaching outdoors. She can provide training on using outdoor learning for teaching all aspects of the primary curriculum.

Webinars, outdoor or in-school training can be undertaken which is bespoke to meet your school’s needs, be it;

• Health and Wellbeing,
• First steps to teaching outdoors,
• Creating effective outdoor spaces,
• Delivery curriculum content outdoors.

Costs are based on number on staff and travel expenses.

For more details contact Nature days naturedays@reynoldston.com 07779950126

How to take indoor teaching outdoors.

Nature Days can provide expert advice and training for taking your learning outdoors.
Reduce the pressure on your indoor areas by using the school grounds for teaching.

Many primary schools, especially early years, use the outdoors for teaching but less so in secondary.

Dawn Thomas is a qualified secondary science and geography teacher. She can provide training on using outdoor learning for teaching the science and geography secondary curriculum or any other outdoor learning provision.

Webinar, outdoor or in-school training can be undertaken which is bespoke to meet your school’s needs, be it;
Health and Wellbeing,
First steps to teaching outdoors,
Creating effective outdoor spaces,
Delivery curriculum content outdoors.

Price stated does not include travel expenses.

For more details contact Nature days naturedays@reynoldston.com07779950126

All days are bespoke for each school which will build on previous learning and skills.

Maths and Numeracy days can take place in a range of locations around Gower.

An example of activities available are outlined below.

Themed field days:

Themes: Our World, Pirates, Sustainability,

Location: Beach, sand dunes, woodland, river, urban.

Outline of themes:

Activities:

• Using equipment to measure and collect data to answer a question and analyse and present data.

Undertake an investigation into the attributes of an environment to collect data to analyse and present. E.g. river study, microclimate study, animal and plant survey.

• Maths Trail

Follow digital instructions or written trail to answer maths questions, use Maths eyes to generate their own trail. Trails cover a whole range of mathematical topics.

• Geometry looking at shape in the environment.

Use geometry to measure trees, build shelter, angle hunt

• Enterprising project. Carbon footprint.

Undertake measuring of pupils carbon footprint and find trees which will absorb their carbon. Create projects to generate income or improve biodiversity of the environment.

• Navigation trails.

Using maps and compasses to develop skills in using co-ordinates, measuring distance and estimating.

All days are bespoke for each school which will build on previous learning and skills.

Language, Literacy and Communication days can take place in a range of locations around Gower.

An example of activities available are outlined below.

Themed field days:

Themes: Stories, Sustainability, Poetry, Seasons, Our World.

Location: Beach, sand dunes, woodland, river.

Outline of themes:

Activities:

• Exploring literature inspired by the outdoor environment.

Pupils engage and experience literature in the environment it depicts. Experience being shipwrecked on an island and journalling the experience. Using the environment to inspire authentic, creative writing.

• Discuss and debate contemporary issues evidenced in the environment.

Visit habitats affected by Global Climate Change and discuss issues observed. Create performance pieces to reflect their opinions.

All days are bespoke for each school which will build on previous learning and skills.

Expressive Arts days can take place in a range of locations around Gower.

An example of activities available are outlined below.

Themed field days:

Themes: Express myself, Our World, Lights, Camera, Action, Materials, Colours, Stories, Myths and Legends.

Location: Beach, sand dunes, woodland, river.

Outline of themes:

Activities:

• Creating art out of natural materials.

Pupils engage with natural resources and manage these resources to communicate meaning through art. The artistic process is explored including planning, designing, creative thinking and evaluating.

• Using the environment to stimulate artistic creations.

Pupils are exposed to stimuli that inspire them to explore, discover and challenge creativeideas. Pupils create original work from the stimuli in the form of pictures, sculptures, music, dance and performance.

Health and Well Being days can take place in a range of locations around Gower.

An example of activities available are outlined below.

Themes: Express myself, My body, My world.

Location: Beach, sand dunes, woodland, river.

Outline of activities:

Activities:

• Mindful shelter building

Pupils work in teams to tackle problem solving practical tasks engaging with natural materials.

• Collecting and creating mandalas.

Exploring the environment and absorbing themself in calming, simple collecting activities.  Improving connection with the environment.

• Forest Bathing and Mindful walking

Sensory exploration of the environment. Using all the senses to connect with the environment. Improving awareness of the outdoors and spending meaningful time engaging with the environment. Slow down, relax and engage the senses.

• Journaling, painting and sketching

Engaging and focusing on the environment around them, pupils will explore the role of free writing and creative activities to develop a deeper connection.

All days are bespoke for each school which will build on previous learning and skills.

Science and Technology days can take place in a range of locations around Gower.

An example of activities available are outlined below.

Themed field days:

Themes: Our World, forces, building, survival, food chains.

Location: Beach, sand dunes, woodland, river.

Outline of themes:

Enquiry process to Explore habitats, what lives there and how organisms are adapted to live there.

Activities:

• Enquiry into plants and animals found in the habitat.

Depending on the age group the enquiry question can be created by the pupils and the method.  Data is collected and can be presented, conclusion drawn and the process evaluated.

Cross curricular links: Field sketching, undertaking enquiry and data collection, creating models of animals, poetry of life in the habitat.

• Enquiry into rocket launcher design.

Pupils design a rocket launcher and undertake an enquiry into launching a rocket the furthest distance.

• Designing shelters or structures

Pupils follow the design process to create a structure and evaluate the process.

Cross curricular links: Literacy Kensuke’s Kingdom, maths of shapes.