Foreign fieldwork
This article reports on the work undertaken at a fieldwork centre in the Cevennes, France. It
discusses why it’s worth considering an international destination when planning and undertaking
fieldwork and includes useful links and sources.
Why fieldwork in France?
The scope for fieldwork in geography
and geology in the Cevennes is
endless, offering many unique
opportunities:


Few locations in Britain can offer
the beauty or variety of the
Cevennes, Provence, ranging from
granite tors to some of Europe’s
most dramatic limestone gorges
and caves.
 Geology
 The Cevennes National Park
authority ensures strict controls on
the use of chemicals in agriculture,
resulting in an unrivalled ecology phenomenal diversity of wild flowers and insects. There are woodlands, open moorlands,
farmland and streams.
Human land use – in addition to the diverse ecology there are villages, larger rivers and
towns nearby.
In addition, issues of access to suitable study sites are practically non-existent in the Cevennes.
Why the Eagle’s Nest Field Study Centre?
The Eagle’s Nest Field Study Centre is surrounded by open and unspoiled countryside. Many
studies can be conducted in the immediate vicinity of the Centre, without the need for transport.
The Centre is also staffed year round, giving excellent contacts and co-operation with local
authorities and residents. These include the forestry commission, the National Park ranger and
farmers. Thus, access to study sites, to farms, homes and businesses in the area that normally
would not be available for fieldwork, is fairly straightforward.
What do students get out of it?
There are opportunities for students of all ages:
 Younger students can practice their French by asking locals about employment and land
use in the area.
 Older students or those at university might study the varied geology of the region.
 Duke of Edinburgh award candidates use the Centre as a base for the route planning and
hiking required for the award.
Foreign fieldwork
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The spectacular scenery, Mediterranean climate and ease of access to footpaths make the
experience far more enjoyable for students than in Britain.
What about the new A-level specifications 2016?
In September 2016, all exam boards will be reintroducing a Non-Exam Assessment, through an
Independent Investigation. This is worth 20% of the overall A level qualification, and needs to
incorporate fieldwork and research. The investigations are teacher-assessed and externally
moderated.
All AS level students must undertake a minimum of two days fieldwork, and A level students a
minimum of four days fieldwork. The Head Teacher must sign-off to confirm that this
requirement has been met.
Students are permitted to collect data as part of a group exercise but must demonstrate
independent intellectual ownership of their investigation. This can be evidenced by defining and
developing their research question/issue, and designing and justifying their research approach;
and by gathering their own secondary data from diverse sources and independently processing
and presenting their data, analysing and drawing conclusions.
The Centre is therefore an ideal base not just for student motivation, but for preparation of
individual studies and conventional examinations.
Where can I find out more?
The following weblinks provide further information about the Cevennes and the Eagle’s Nest
Field Study Centre:
 Discover Limited - http://www.discover.ltd.uk/home/ – the British owners of the Eagle’s Nest
Field Study Centre and http://www.discover.ltd.uk/france/geog.htm - downloadable
geography units
 Cevennes National Park http://www.cevennes-parcnational.fr/
 Causse Cevennes UNESCO World Heritage Site http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1153
Foreign fieldwork
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