Secondary Education

The environment at Harehope Quarry is ideally suited to delivering aspects of the geography and science curriculum, although there are obvious links to other areas of the curriculum including education for sustainable development and citizenship.

Geography

Enquiry-based learning can be used for the study of a number geographical themes at Harehope Quarry and in the surrounding area.

Many of the themes can be adapted for various levels from Key Stage 3 through to A-level and developed to suit the needs of individual schools. The following themes can be covered:

  • Rivers: Looking at river processes, landforms and flooding in the upper course.
  • Limestone and limestone extraction: Looking at some of the features of limestone, the environmental impact of limestone quarrying and using Harehope quarry as an example of quarry reclamation.
  • Rural settlement studies: Looking at settlement location, function and distribution and goods and services. (This will require the use of transport during the day).
  • Hydrology: Comparison of the hydrology of 2 contrasting river catchments and the impact of landuse on flood management. (This will require the use of transport during the day).
  • Ecosystems: This may include looking at energy flow in a freshwater environment, succession or nature reserve management.
  • Agriculture: This may use Harehope Quarry as base to study a local farm and look at sustainable land management.

Science

Enquiry-based learning can be used for the study of a number scientific themes at Harehope Quarry.

Many of the themes can be adapted for various levels from Key Stage 3 through to A-level and developed to suit the needs of individual schools. The following themes can be covered:

  • Freshwater habitats: Looking at diversity of life, adaptations and food chains, webs and pyramids of numbers.
  • Limestone and limestone extraction: Looking at some of the features of limestone, the environmental impact of limestone quarrying and using Harehope Quarry as an example of quarry reclamation.

We are currently developing further ecology and environmental study days.

In addition the solar challenge and sustainable lifestyles days outlines in the 'Primary Education' section also work well at Key Stages 3 and 4 and can help in the delivery of the 'Sustainable Schools Framework'.

Latest News

Harehope becomes a LAND Demonstration site
15th Nov 2011
The Harehope Quarry Project has successfully become a LAND learning centre. The learning centres are permaculture projects, who show, explain and describe to volunteers, visitors and an interested public, how the principles and ethics of permaculture are applied to their project. As a LAND learning centre Harehope Quarry will form part of an England-wide co-operative network.
Trees for Harehope
15th Nov 2011
The Harehope Quarry Project has received a grant from Durham County Council for 80 trees. The trees will be planted during National Tree week - 26 November - 4 December 2011.
Frosterlety goes plastic-free!
22nd Nov 2010
Traders in Frosterley, with the help of the ‘Working for a Future in Frosterley’ project, are introducing a scheme to reduce the use of plastic bags in the village. The scheme will be launched on 27 November 2010. Cotton bags will be available in the Frosterley branch of the Penrith Co-operative Society and at Gardiner’s Country Store on a ‘borrow and return’ basis and Turtle Bags at The Village Chip Bar. Frosterley Community School are designing their own bags that will be for sale at £2, with all proceeds going to the school. These will be available in early December.

Next Events

Volunteer Day
25th Feb 2012
10.00am – 4.00pm. Join in our regular volunteering event. Tasks will include the continued work on the eco-classroom and nature reserve management. Refreshments and a light lunch are provided so if you intend to come please let us know so we have an idea of numbers.
Art exhibition and workshops with Johnnie Foker
10th Mar 2012
Family workshop – ‘Flying Things'. 1.30pm – 4.00pm. Join this family art workshop, with artist Johnnie Foker from Bearpark Artists Co-operative in Durham. Booking essential. Families £12.00. Refreshments available.
Art exhibition and workshops with Johnnie Foker
10th Mar 2012
Art exhibition. 11.00am – 3.00pm. Johnnie will be exhibiting his work at Harehope Quarry throughout the weekend. He is well known for original work inspired by his love of birdlife. There will also be an opportunity to see and buy some of Johnnie's work. Refreshments available.