12th October 2017
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Re: Year 8 Geography Trip to Cheddar Gorge, 3rd and 6th November 2017
As we are asking students to make options decisions in year 8 from this year, we felt it important to bring this trip forward to ensure all students have experience of fieldwork before making their choices.
As you know, in the Geography department we believe in giving our pupils the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom. As such we are organising a field visit to Cheddar Gorge for Year 8 pupils. The boys will have the opportunity to see and experience a very impressive natural feature in the Gorge and the caves. The caves have extremely unusual and impressive limestone features, such as stalactites and stalagmites. The boys will have a tour of the Gorge and the caves and will learn what has formed these rare sights.
The field visits will be on Friday 3rd November for groups MD, ME & MF, and Monday 6th November for groups MA, MB & MC. We will leave school at 8am and return at approximately 5.00pm, at which point please make arrangements to collect your son from the school. Your son will be required to bring a packed lunch, and a small amount of money for any souvenirs he may wish to buy.
The visit is a working visit, and therefore the boys will be expected to bring pens, pencils and a clipboard so they can complete the work required of them. Good behaviour is expected and paramount at all times. We will obviously be out on public view and the site is open to members of the public.
The boys do not have to wear uniform, but we do expect sensible clothing and footwear. There will be a lot of walking during the day so footwear which is comfortable to walk in is vital. Obviously this time of the year will be cold and possibly wet so waterproof coats should be worn, along with warm clothing.
Due to restrictions at the Gorge, we are only able to take 55 students on each day, and as such the trip is offered on a first come, first served, basis.
The voluntary cost for trip, including entry to the Cheddar Gorge Experience and the coach journey, is £32.50. Families who are in receipt of qualifying benefits may be eligible for financial assistance through our pupil premium funding. Please contact Mrs Farley, Parent Support Adviser, on 0118 9781626 ext. 1085, or email
If you would like your son to go, please complete attached EV2 permission form and reply slip overleaf and return, together with a cheque made payable to Forest School, by the Monday 30th October, to the Finance Office. It is also possible to pay online at: www.scopay.com/forest. I must advise that if insufficient funds are raised we will be unable to run this trip.
Any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours faithfully,
Mr B Roberts
Head of Geography
------
Please complete all details in BLOCK CAPITALS and do not use staples.
TO: Finance Office
Payment date: By 30th October 2017
Trip details: Year 8 Cheddar Gorge, Nov 2017
Pupil’s Name: ______
Pupil’s Tutor Group:______
Pupil’s Teaching Group:______
Name of cheque signatory: ______
□ – tick if your son is eligible for financial assistance through the pupil premium fund