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NEA Year 13 Geography Residential 2024 - South Devon

43 Year 13 Geographers travelled to Devon the week before October half term to complete a 5 day residential trip focussing on fieldwork and case studies for their coursework. A 7am start on Monday was navigated with snacks, pillows and blankets for the journey to Devon. Once arrived, the students were then allocated their rooms and set off down to the sea for their first fieldwork session on plant succession and visitor impact.

The students immersed themselves in a comprehensive and jam packed programme designed to enhance their understanding of the coastal environment and regeneration of Plymouth. The trip had a strong focus on putting fieldwork at the forefront of the students' studies, and it was a pleasure to see them flourish in the FSC Centre. Many excelled at the University style learning and environment.

The following day was spent in the city of Plymouth to practise some regeneration fieldwork. It was fascinating to see the differences between Royal William Yard, the Barbican and the City centre. Day 3 we were back to the Coast. With a long coastal walk to take in the sights of Beesands, Torcross and Slapton Ley. Then it was time to return to the classroom where the hard work began. Students then finalised their own enquiry questions and got ready to set out on their independent investigation and data collection for Day 4. Students then revisited a location for their coursework and in both Plymouth and Slapton were able to enjoy a day out in some sunshine collecting valuable data for their NEA. We even celebrated an 18th Birthday in style on day 4 - with cake! Day 5 meant it was time for stats and analysis, before heading home back to Chorleywood - with the M5 shut part way, creating a more cross country route home!

The fieldwork trip was not only an educational experience but also an incredible opportunity to apply what the students had learnt in the classroom to the real world. The trip was a resounding success, the students successfully collected their data and were a credit to the school. I would like to thank Miss Fennessy, Mrs Beasley and Miss Simmons for giving up their time to come and support the students on this valuable trip. We wish all the students every success in their Geography Coursework. 

 

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30th January

Teachers commended for transforming Design & Technology education

We were delighted to read that our Design and Technology teachers, Miss Yalley and Mr Hadley were featured in the Design and Technology publication.  The article discusses the transformation of the Design & Technology (D&T) department at St. Clement Danes School over the past five years. It discusses how Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley took ownership of the subject, implementing a new subject ethos based on trust, excellence, respect, and safety to foster student responsibility and independence. Key Initiatives & Changes Revamping Projects & Curriculum Introduced more challenging design projects at earlier years (Years 8 & 9). Shifted focus to design skills, problem-solving, and justifying choices over just practical outcomes. Prioritized quality over quantity in student projects. Notable projects: Year 7: Robot concepts Year 8: Articulated lamps Year 9: Branded dispensers & modular speakers Encouraging Inclusion & Diversity Created a girls-only club to boost female participation in GCSE Product Design. Sixth-form girls mentor younger students, building confidence and community. Design Ventura Competition Integrated mock coursework with the Design Ventura competition. Encouraged teamwork and prototyping to improve engagement. Use of AI & Technology Introduced cloud-based tools to make learning more accessible. Leveraged AI for idea development and communication. Professional Development & Industry Links Participating in the Teachers in Residence program to gain industry insights. Adopted industry models like the Double Diamond Design Process and Scrum-based project sprints to enhance student learning. Established workshops with industry professionals to inspire students, especially girls, to pursue design careers. Key Takeaways for Educators Adapt curriculum to student needs and school culture. Pilot new initiatives as clubs first to gauge student interest. Encourage student feedback to refine teaching methods. Be open to change and continuously evolve teaching strategies. The article ultimately encourages educators to embrace creativity, experimentation, and student collaboration in D&T education. We are very proud of our teachers for their continued hard work and dedication for each of their subject areas. Congratulations to Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley for their inspiring article and the incredible work they’ve done to transform Design & Technology at St. Clement Danes! Their dedication to fostering creativity, inclusion, and industry connections is truly commendable, and their impact on students will undoubtedly be long-lasting.