Fieldwork with Discover Ltd.
Discover Ltd. has been offering fantastic fieldwork opportunties ‘further afield’ to students of all ages for over 30 years. Choose from a huge range of study units especially written for all the major UKexam specifications including the International Baccalaureate, and enjoy the flexibility of a pricing structure which reflects our teaching input. Choose a fully tutored, partly or untutored field work programme, and be confident that our reputation for academic excellence will ensure that you and your students receive the best fieldwork experience that is available.
The Eagle's Nest is a purpose built field study centre that can accommodate 90+ students, and an additional 60 at a nearby ski resort during busy periods, and for schools who bring away whole year groups of students. It is situated on the south facing slopes of Mont Lozère, at 1699m the highest peak in the Cévennes. It is an exceptional area of natural beauty, with three distinct geological zones which reflect in the variety of landscape, soils, flora and fauna found in a relatively small area. This variety of landscape has led to the areas classification both as a National Park, the Parc National des Cévennes and as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The area also benefits from Mediterranean sunshine in the summer months. The author Robert Louis Stevenson, brought the area to the public attention in his travelogue, “Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes”, the routepassing the Centre.
Why go to the Cévennes?
Within AS/A2 level studies, QCA geography criteria require that ‘students undertake investigative work based on evidence from fieldwork and secondary sources’. Fieldwork experience is noted within the skills required by geography students. Similarly, biology criteria require students to ‘carry out experimental and investigative activities’. The Eagles Nest offers students and teachers the opportunity to collect data for coursework, assemble case study material, experience decision making exercises and prepare for exams.
Few locations in Britain can offer the beauty or variety of the Cévennes, ranging from granite tors to some of Europe's most dramatic limestone gorges and caves. National Park status ensures strict controls on the
use of chemicals in farming, resulting in a phenomenal diversity of wild flowers and insects. We have excellent contacts and cooperation with local authorities and residents, including the Office National des Forets, the National Park rangers and farmers, giving us ready access to study sites. Whilst we cannot guarantee good weather, the climate of southern France is considerably more predictable than that of the
UK. In particular, we benefit from a settled Mediterranean climate during the summer months. Finally there is the added advantage of a residential stay and the excitement of foreign travel. While this is clearly not a part of any specification, its socio-educational benefits are not to be underestimated.
Inspire, challenge and learn in this fabulous environment!
Geography and Related Subjects
Geography may be everywhere, but in the Cévennes we have awe and wonder at our doorstep! The CévennesNational Park lies in the southern Massif Central, at the cross-road between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, with freezing alpine winters and sweltering Mediterranean summers. It is a harsh and spectacular landscape with protection of National Park status, and the conflicts of tourism, agriculture and human settlement, sitting alongside the pressure to conserve landscape, habitats and species.
In this physical geographer’s paradise, many of the major landforms are here: deeply incised river valleys, granite tors, vast limestone gorges and spectacular cave systems, sand dune systems and river deltas.
Geologists have easy access to the granites of the Mont Lozere massif, the limestones of the Causse Mejan and Sauveterre, and the metamorphic schists to the north and south of the Eagles Nest. It is possible to map contact zones and investigate the economic impact of geology on the landscape during a visit to the water bottling plant at Quezac, owned by NestléFrance.
For human geographers, we have easy access to the tiniest villages in a part of France which has experienced massive rural out-migration. But in reach is also Montpellier, France’s fastest-growing city.
Study the effects and contributions of tourism to the National Park, and on local Honeypot settlements. Investigate the form and function of key towns and villages, and study the environmental impacts of skiing
and afforestation in the National Park. Our location in the National Park grants us the privilege of access to limitless field sites, and the knowledge and enthusiastic contributions of local farmers and park wardens who are delighted to share their experience with our groups.
The Cevennes is a geographer’s paradise! Our courses are incredibly flexible – use a trip to the Eagles Nest to collect GCSE or A-level coursework data, teach about geographical issues or fulfil your specification requirements. Our units are put together by teachers with many years of experience in the field, and are written to stimulate and encourage high-quality learning in children and students from Key Stage Three, through to A2 GCE courses in all major UK exam board specifications, including the International Baccalaureate.
Biology and Related Subjects
The Eagles Nest is in an enviable position. Where else in Europe can you study the reintroduction of capercaille and vultures, visit captive breeding programmes for European bison and Przewalskis horses, see flamingos at the fabulous Camargue Regional Nature Reserve, investigate glorious peat bogs and traditionally managed hay meadows with over 50 species of flowering plants, whilst short-toed eagles wheel overhead – all in just one week!?
In a short field course at the Eagles Nest, students learn the investigative techniques needed to develop an understanding of populations, communities and ecosystems and their functioning. They can progress to study management issues encountered in applied biology and ecology, including the effects of sewage pollution on our rivers, the impacts of tourism on sand dune systems and the environmental impacts of skiing and afforestation. At the species and population level, there are several highly successful species reintroduction programmes in the National Park and surrounding area, and students have the opportunity of studying this amazing work at first hand. Our location in the National Park and within the least populated area of France, grants us the privilege of access to limitless field sites, and the knowledge and enthusiastic contributions of local farmers and park wardens who are delighted to share their experience with groups.
The Cevennes is a biologist’s paradise! Our courses are incredibly flexible – use a trip to the Eagles Nest to collect GCSE or A-level coursework data, teach about science-related issues or fulfil your specification requirements. Our units are put together by teachers with many years of experience in the field, and are written to stimulate and encourage high-quality learning in children and students from Key Stage Three, through to A2 GCE courses in all major UK exam board specifications, including the International Baccalaureate.
What does Discover offer at the Eagle's Nest?
The Centre was developed by Discover Ltd. as a field study centre for young people. Accommodation is in small dormitories for students, with separate bedrooms and facilities for staff. Accommodation for teacher’s spouses and children can be arranged at a small extra cost. There are 4 fully equipped classrooms (each with a computer and a range of commercial and in-house software, digital projector, overhead projector, video and whiteboards) and a resources room. The centre also has a shop, drying facilities, games room, common room, bar and disco.
We have an extensive range of fieldwork, IT and written resources available to all groups at the Centre. Our detailed work units, produced on CD-Rom and supplied in advance of your course, cater for the range of KS3, GCSE, AS/A2 and International Baccalaureate courses, studying in groups or following individual projects. Each unit places emphasis on sound enquiry and fieldwork skills, as well as encompassing the widest possible range of topics from more traditional studies to an issues-based approach.
Your visit to the Eagles Nest is tailor-made to provide the course and activities most suitable to you and your students. Individual programmes can be compiled from our wide range of work units. Select the most appropriate study units for your students before your visit - if you need any assistance we are only a phone call away and are always happy to offer advice. When you arrive at the centre, one of our resident Academic Advisors will be there to assist you with the study topics, guide you to the various locations and assist in teaching. Fully tutored courses are available for those that wish. Provided you travel to the Eagles Nest by coach, it will be available throughout your stay subject to EU driving rules and regulations.
The Eagle's Nest provides an excellent location for a range of recreational activities from river rafting to mountain biking and hiking. This enables us to offer a full activity programme to supplement your academic fieldwork course. All activities are arranged with licensedand experienced local French providers.
The Eagle's Nest provides the idealatmosphere for any combination of study and recreation for young people. We provide many extras to make your stay more comfortable and enjoyable such as a full cooked English breakfast and wine at dinner for older students. Students have access to a common room where hot drinks are available throughout the day.
Discover combines all the financial security of a large company - holding an ATOL licence, being fully bonded members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) - with the personal service that makes you feel special. Whilst booking at any unfamiliar location is bound to cause some anxiety, we firmly believe that you will not be disappointed if you book a trip to the Eagle's Nest. We take the worry out of the administration and travel arrangements for your tour, provide a homely centre for your group and support your programme of work, visits and activities guaranteeing a successful and worthwhile trip.
The School Travel Forum
Discover Ltd. is a Full Member of the School Travel Forum, a group of leading school tour operators who promote good practice and safety in school travel. All Full Members of the STF adhere to a rigorous Code of Practice and Safety Management Standards which meet the requirements of DfES guidelines and are externally verified each year by suitably qualified independent Health and Safety professionals.
During the course of developing the STF Code of Practice, and in addition to liaising with the DfES, advice has been sought from all leading educational Unions and Associations. The STF initiative is welcomed by the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel (OEAP) and the DfES. It has the support of the SHA, NAHT, ATL, NUT, PAT and the NASUWT advises members wishing to organise school trips to use companies that have this type of scheme.
Details of the School Travel Forum Code of Practice are available at
What will it cost? Price and Trip Options for 2006
Mainland UK Schools (All inclusive rate)
Fully tutored:8 day trip (option a) £374 8 day trip (option b) £388 9 day trip £420
Untutored: 8 day trip (option a) £354 8 day trip (option b) £363 9 day trip £395
Alternatively, tutored days can be brought-in at a daily rate of £10 per student per day.
(NB: If you bring 80+ students, we will fully-tutor your course at the untutored rate)
Plus one free place per 8 paying
All inclusive 8 day trip (option a) includes:
Days at the Centre: 4 full & 2 half days. Depart on Saturday for a night ferry crossing, arriving at the Centre in the afternoon of Sunday. Time to settle-in and for an orientation walk before your evening meal and an introductory talk afterwards. Depart after lunch on Friday to arrive back at your organisation Saturday morning.
All inclusive 8 day trip (option b) includes:
Days at the Centre: 5 full & 1 half days. Depart on Saturday for an evening ferry crossing, arriving at the Centre for a buffet lunch on Sunday. Depart after your evening meal on Friday. This allows for a day of local fieldwork or relaxation before departure in the evening, arriving back at your organisation on Saturday afternoon/evening.
All inclusive 9 day trip includes:
Days at the Centre: 6 full & 1 half days. Depart on Friday for an evening ferry crossing arriving at the Centre for a buffet lunch on Saturday. Depart after your evening meal on Friday. This allows a day of local fieldwork or relaxation before departure in the evening, arriving back at your organisation on Saturday afternoon/evening.
UK Schools (Without transport or insurance)
Fully tutored:3 day trip £185 4 day trip £226 5 day trip £257 6 day trip £318
Untutored:3 day trip £164 4 day trip £198 5 day trip £230 6 day trip £275
Alternatively, tutored days can be brought-in at a daily rate of £10 per student per day.
(NB: If you bring 80+ students, we will fully-tutor your course at the untutored rate)
Plus one free place per 8 paying
International Schools (Without transport or insurance)
Fully tutored:3 day trip 260Є 4 day trip 315Є 5 day trip 355Є 6 day trip 440Є
Untutored:3 day trip 230Є 4 day trip 275Є 5 day trip 320Є 6 day trip 380Є
Alternatively, tutored days can be brought-in at a daily rate of 15EUR per student per day.
(NB: If you bring 80+ students, we will fully-tutor your course at the untutored rate)
Plus one free place per 8 paying
3, 4, 5 or 6 day trips (without transport or insurance) include:
Arrive at the centre during the afternoon of the first day. Time for orientation walk before dinner and introductory talk in evening depending on precise travel arrangements. Depending on your trip option, either two, three, four, or five full days of fieldwork and three, four, five or six nights accomodation. Finally, half a day of fieldwork and lunch (either a buffet or packed sandwich lunch depending on your precise travel arrangements) on the day of departure.
Travel arrangements for Non-Inclusive Trips
Typically, schools either:
Arrange all their own transport using a local (to them) coach company. This coach then remains with the group throughout their trip and is used to transport the group to field sites whenever necessary. The school arranges and pays for this independently of Discover Ltd.
or,
The school arranges transport to the nearest TGV station (Nimes) or airport (normally Nimes, Rodez, Ste. Etienne, Marseille, Montpellier or Lyon), independently. From the UK, the following Ryanair flights are currently available: London Stansted to Nimes, Rodez, Ste. Etienne and Montpellier; Liverpool to Nimes; London Luton to Nimes. For mainland UK schools only, Discover can arrange flights on your behalf, for a small agents’ fee. Onward travel and transport to field sites can then be arranged on your behalf by Discover Ltd. using a local coach company. For French schools, this is then invoiced directly to the school by the coach company. For mainland UK and other European schools, this is invoiced directly to school in advance of the trip.
Insurance Arrangements for Non-Inclusive Trips
Discover Ltd. can only arrange travel insurance for UK residents. Please mention at the time of booking if you would like us to arrange this for you. Non-UK residents need to arrange travel insurance themselves.
For Fully Inclusive Trips Departing UK Mainland:
What is Included and Price Guarantee
There will be no surcharges on our standard package based on coach travel (excluding any forced on us by government action - see booking conditions). Our pricing includes the following:
All transport to and from your school to our Centre, including ferry (Dover-Calais-Dover), fuel costs and road tolls. (Providing your school is within EU driving time from the Centre and applies to groups of 25 paying places or more). Small groups will travel by shared coach (depending on availability) or by self-drive minibus. It may be necessary to depart and return to London;
Full personal travel insurance with P.J. Hayman & Company (full details on request);
Free staff place per 8 paying guests;
Three meals per day whilst at the Centre. We provide a full cooked breakfast, packed lunch and a three course evening dinner. We are happy to cater for vegetarians or special diets followed on religious or medical grounds. Meals are not included on your outward or return journey unless the Vulcania option is taken, in which case a packed lunch is provided;