GCSE Geography Trip to Platja D’aro Spain
Our field trips in Platja D’Aro are designed to support the GCSE Geography curriculum, offering hands-on experiences that enhance understanding of key geographical themes.
Each activity is carefully structured to meet the demands of Component 3: Applied Fieldwork Enquiry, while reinforcing skills required for Component 1 and Component 2.
Students engage in diverse environments—from dynamic coastlines to tranquil river systems—applying their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Through primary data collection, analysis, and evaluation, they develop critical geographical skills, including:
- Fieldwork methodologies such as sampling, data presentation, and analysis.
- Investigating geographical processes (e.g., erosion, deposition, weathering).
- Evaluating human interventions in managing natural landscapes.
This program equips students to meet coursework requirements, while fostering curiosity about physical and human geography in real-world contexts.
GCSE Geography Trip to Platja D’aro Spain
- Duration: 4 days 3 nights
- Board: Full board
- Passengers: 40
- Free Staff Places: 4
Excursions & Inclusions
San Antoni de Calonge, San Antoni de Calonge, Gola de Ter, Romanyà de Selva and Dolmen de Diana
Where it’s held
Platja D’Aro, Spain
Platja d’Aro is part of the municipality of Castell Platja d’Aro. This means that although it is a bustling resort, just inland you’ll find Castell d’Aro, an ancient village that was built up around the fortified church and medieval castle. This historic part of the town’s legacy is thought to date to around the first century BC. Students can experience a Spanish Gymkhana, where they will purchase ingredients from local, authentic markets, don the chef hat to create tasty traditional cuisine.
Sample Itinerary for GCSE Geography Trip to Platja D’aro Spain
Day 1 Arrival and Coastal Geography Introduction
Morning:
Flight to Barcelona.
Coach transfer to hotel in Platja D’Aro.
Lunch:
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon:
Class Session:
Welcome and course objectives.
Health and safety briefing.
Introductory map reading session focusing on geographical skills.
Fieldwork Session:
Walk along the Cami de Ronda (approx. 6 km).
Investigate coastal features such as bays and headlands, relating them to rock types.
Conduct mini-enquiries covering:
Field sketching.
Sampling strategies.
Beach profiling and sediment analysis.
Coastal processes: abrasion, attrition, hydraulic action, and weathering types.
Coastal management examples.
Document findings for evening analysis.
Evening:
Return to the hotel by coach.
inner at the hotel.
Class Session:
Analyze, present, and conclude mini-enquiries from the day.
Prepare for the following day’s coursework field studies on coastal management.
Day 2 Coursework Fieldwork – Coastal Management and Rivers
Morning:
Fieldwork (Coastal Management):
Travel by bus to San Antoni de Calonge.
Conduct data collection activities for Component 3 coursework, focusing on:
Evaluating the effectiveness of coastal management strategies (e.g., groynes, seawalls, and breakwaters).
Measuring changes in beach profiles, sediment size, and wave energy.
Return to the hotel for lunch.
Afternoon:
Fieldwork (Rivers):
Travel by bus to the Gola de Ter near Toroella de Montgri.
Introduction to river processes and landforms, such as meanders, levees, and floodplains.
Explore hazards and opportunities that rivers provide for communities.
Return to the hotel by bus.
Evening:
Dinner at the hotel.
Class Session:
Collate and check data from coastal fieldwork.
Prepare for rivers field studies the next day.
Day 3 Coursework Fieldwork – River Velocity and Departure
Morning:
Fieldwork (River Studies):
Travel to multiple sites on the Rio de Ter along the road toward Romanyà de Selva and Dolmen de Diana.
Conduct fieldwork activities for Component 3 coursework, investigating:
River velocity and how it changes downstream.
Data collection techniques such as velocity measurements, channel width, and depth assessments.
Lunch:
Picnic lunch near the river sites.
Afternoon:
Continue field studies as needed.
Quick classroom session to collate and verify river data.
Depart hotel at 2:30 PM.
Evening:
Travel to Barcelona for return flight.