Field Studies Council – Blencathra
Photos of Field Studies Council – Blencathra
What will students see and do?
Since 1943, the Field Studies Council (FSC) has strived to provide opportunities for school children to study living plants and animals in their natural environment.
One of its sites that does this is residential centre FSC Blencathra. The site offers visitors gorgeous panoramic views across the Keswick, Helvellyn and Skiddaw areas, with its centre nestled 300m up on south-facing slopes just a mile outside of Threlkeld.
FSC Blencathra offers 17 primary school courses and 78 secondary school courses that bring your subject to life in the outdoor classroom. These range from adventure and teambuilding activities to biology, geography and math classes taking inspiration from the surrounding landscape. If none of the subjects suit your class, you can also just visit for a walking tour that explores the natural history and wildlife of the local area, including geology and archaeology.
Within the residential centre, visitors can look forward to a lounge with a conservatory, a games room to relax in between adventures, a library, a basketball court, an eco-garden and several patio and lawn areas to enjoy at leisure.
Those who venture out from the centre can explore the valleys, woodlands, hills and mountains of the Lake District National Park, full of wildlife, vast open spaces and breathtaking scenery just waiting to be discovered.
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
FSC provides quality outdoor learning opportunities for all ages and interests. Children who take part in the courses offered are encouraged to get involved and engaged in the outdoors, taking part in safe, hands-on experiences.
These courses help build confidence and resilience through adventure activities and challenges, encourage skills in communication and co-operation with fun teambuilding games, introduce measured risk-taking and independent thinking, and tackle a growing indoor culture.
All trips link to the curriculum and are tailored to ensure that students spend the maximum time outdoors possible, allowing them to take advantage of all benefits resulting from outdoor learning. A qualified tutor is assigned to each trip, to oversee your visit and create a bespoke and friendly atmosphere.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
FSC has put together several resources on its website to assist with learning before, during and after your trip, as well as to invite those passionate about nature to learn more about it.
This includes accessible, student-friendly resources for all fieldwork topics required for the main exam boards in biology and geography at ages 14-16 and 16-18.
There is a range of bite-size, captioned videos presented in the field by FSC’s experienced tutors, worksheets in printable and online formats and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) story maps, which can be used to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage and display spatial data.
FSC also has a subscription-based digital hub designed to complement the popular free resources.
Whether you are looking to introduce your students to a particular field skill, to develop investigative skills or to encourage deeper thinking in experimental design, the virtual fieldwork on the Digital Hub will have the resources you need.
Small groups can even attend fieldwork investigations that will prepare them for designing their independent geographical investigation, with the opportunity to collect data (individually or in groups) and then work on their own to contextualise, analyse and report their work.
Minimum and maximum group size
Blencathra can sleep 140 people across three accommodation blocks.
Details of risk assessment
The Field Studies Council supports the same risk-benefit approach to risk assessments for outdoor activities that Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) have adopted – that taking acceptable intellectual and physical risks can result in the growth and development of young people. Get in contact to discuss.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities On-Site
On site there is a large car park, a licensed bar stocked with local ales and spirits, wines, soft drinks and snacks and a games room with a pool table, football table and table tennis table.
There’s also a kitchen, a staff lounge, a shop that sells drinks, snacks and souvenirs, and seven workrooms, one of which can be used as a conference room.
Opening Times
Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm
Pricing
The price of your stay will depend on the itinerary you choose. Get in contact to discuss.
Travel arrangements
Detailed directions are available on the website. The Field Studies Council has partnered with First Travel Solutions (FTS) to help reduce the cost of coach travel for academic groups – if you would like to receive a quote from FTS, get in contact.
Address
FSC Blencathra, Threlkeld, Keswick
CA12 4SG
Book your school trip to Field Studies Council – Blencathra
For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.
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