Geography
Day Programme for Key Stage 2 - Year 6

INVESTIGATING RIVERS

Geography - QCA Unit 14. Water and its effects on landscapes and people in and around New Mills.

This one day programme has been designed to reflect the change in the Geography National Curriculum 2000 to the theme rivers which has become water and its effects on landscapes and people, including the physical features of rivers [for example, flood plain] and the processes of erosion and deposition that affect them.

New Mills is set in the most dramatic river scenery. Two rivers, the Sett and the Goyt join beneath the town in a deep river gorge. This gorge was the setting for the development of the town in the Industrial Revolution, when the power of the fast running rivers was used to spin and weave cotton in the huge factories built on the river terraces. Up stream the river opens out into a wide flood plain where the soils are rich and have been used by farmers for centuries for agriculture.

The day programme will show how people's lives have been affected by the nature of the river and also about the effects that people have had in turn on the river itself. The Goyt and Sett are tributaries of the River Mersey, one of the most damaged rivers in the UK and subject of a clean up initiative called the Mersey Basin Campaign.

PLEASE NOTE - this day programme includes fieldwork. We will carry out fieldwork activities whatever the weather! Please make sure everyone is dressed appropriately. Please bring wellington boots and a change of socks and trousers.

A risk assessment has been carried out for these activities and been approved by the Health and Safety Officers at D.C.C.

9.30 Welcome and introduction
Key Question
What is New Mills like?
Why did people settle here?
Activities
Classroom activities to learn about the importance of the river location to the settlement of New Mills

10.30 Break - a snack and a drink will be provided

11.00 Key Questions
What is the river like?
How have people used the river?
Activities
A guided walk through the gorge looking at the physical and human features continuing through the flood plain and returning along the Peak Forest canal. A number of fieldwork activities will be carried out on the way

12.00 Lunch - please bring your own packed lunch to eat in the centre

12.30 Key Question
How has the river been damaged in the past by the way people have used it?
What is being done to improve the river?
Activities
A range of classroom activities in the centre to identify possible causes of pollution followed by a video and discussion about what can and is being done

1.30 Key Question
How can we tell if the river water is clean?
Activities
A range of fieldwork activities to carry out water pollution testing by seeing if it is possible for creatures to live in the water

2.30 Leave