Stanley Head
Stanley Head Outdoor Education Centre – Geography Fieldwork Programme
At Hanley St Luke’s Academy, we are dedicated to providing rich, hands‑on learning experiences that bring our Geography curriculum to life. Each year, pupils from Year 2 through Year 6 take part in structured fieldwork days at Stanley Head Outdoor Education Centre, enabling them to develop key geographical skills in a meaningful, practical context.
Visit Dates & Costs 2025–2026
Each visit includes:
- A full day of activities delivered by Stanley Head staff
- Transport via two minibuses
| Year Group | Dates | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Year 5 | 14th & 15th October 2025 | £2,448 |
| Year 6 – Class 6S | 30th Sept & 1st Oct 2026 | £2,448 |
| Year 6 – Class 6L | 7th & 8th October 2026 | £2,448 |
| Year 3 | 17th & 18th March 2026 | £2,448 |
| Year 4 | 24th & 25th March 2026 | £2,448 |
| Year 2 | 28th & 29th April 2026 | £2,448 |
Annual Total Investment
£14,688 per year is invested to support high‑quality, experiential fieldwork at Stanley Head.
What the Day Includes
Each visit follows a consistent and purposeful structure:
- Minibus collection from school (two per day)
- Arrival at Stanley Head between 9:30–9:45am
- Pupils settle in the classroom and leave lunches
- Introduction from the Stanley Head team
- Classroom‑based learning to introduce key skills
- Outdoor practical activities in small groups
- Lunch break
- Further fieldwork activities, team challenges and physical tasks
- End‑of‑day reflection and consolidation of learning
- Opportunity to feed the chickens
- Return to school by minibus
Geography Skills Progression
Stanley Head provides a clear progression of map and fieldwork skills from Year 2 through Year 6. Each visit builds on previous learning, ensuring pupils revisit and extend key geographical knowledge and techniques over time.
Year 2
- 4 compass points
- Aerial photographs
- Following simple routes
- Using a basic key
- Introduction to simple grid references (e.g., A1, B3)
Years 3 & 4
(Year 3 simplified, Year 4 increased challenge)
- 8 compass points
- 4‑figure grid references
- Map symbols and keys
- Recognising physical and human features
- Observing changes over time during fieldwork
Years 5 & 6
(Year 5 simplified, Year 6 with increased challenge)
- 8 compass points
- Recap and extension of 4‑figure grid references
- Maps showing:
- Symbols and keys
- Land use
- Height of land (introduction to contours)
- River study including:
- Collecting field data
- Sampling techniques
- Measuring and recording in different ways
- Observing land use, physical processes and change during fieldwork
-
