Field Study Tutor, Friend and Fantastic Addition to Any Geography Tour

First things first, what is a Rayburn Tours Geography Field Study Tutor?

Simply put, a Field Study Tutor is an avid geographer, usually with a background in classroom teaching. They have in-depth knowledge of your chosen destination, both geographically and culturally. They are there to lead the geographical input of your tour and ensure students can connect what they see in front of them to what they have been learning about in the classroom!

But that’s just the short version… Read on!

So, you know our Field Study Tutors are geographical experts, many of whom have been Geography Teachers in UK Secondary Schools themselves. But how do you benefit from having them on your tour?

Firstly, they can utilise their knowledge of how kids learn in the classroom. Their teaching experience allow them to connect what they see in front of them to what they have been learning about in school.

This experience also allows them to pitch their information at just the right level. They know how to keep a class of students interested and engaged – and you’ll know, that’s no mean feat! Fear not, they won’t overwhelm your group. Whilst they can talk geography morning, noon and night, they’ll work alongside you to give the level of input you feel is perfect for your group!

Watching some of these field study tutors in action in Iceland really affirmed their incredible depth of destination knowledge. It was clear that they had been to Iceland so many times – they were able to offer a level of detail and understanding of the landscapes that would be hard to match with academic knowledge alone. They were able to answer all sorts of questions from students (and teachers too!), and always had a story or case study in mind to share with the group. And they were never short of an amusing fact or tale to lighten the mood either – some of our favourites are the legend of the Icelandic Elves and the reason that you don’t see many dogs in Iceland…

Val Vannet, Geography teacher for over 30 years and Rayburn FST for the last 10 years, explains:

With the best will in the world, teachers don’t have the time to research the place they’re going to – they’re too busy teaching! If they’ve never been before, then trying to interpret the landscape and know enough, without a book of notes, and stand and talk to 40 kids, is hard. So, it’s just about being realistic. I now have the time and enjoy keeping up to date through podcasts and social media. Teachers just simply don’t have time to do that!”

Rayburn’s Geography Tours Development Manager and Field Study Tutor, Cath Rule, adds “our learning is on-going and as a team of field study tutors and keen geographers, there is aways lots of communication. The WhatsApp group is always pinging as we share things like news reports and scientific research to help develop each other’s knowledge. We will also share first-hand ideas and recommendations about our geography destinations. So, whilst you get one field study tutor on tour with your group, really, you’re benefiting from the knowledge of a whole team of experts.

Val Vannet
Field Study Tutor

Your staff + Rayburn Field Study Tutor = The Dream Team!

One thing we quickly learned when watching these FSTs in action was that although teachers once, they do not adopt the role of a teacher while on tour. Instead, they become an extension of your team – think of them as the member of staff who’s come along to bring the on-location expertise and knowledge. Other teaching staff will help with relating this back to specific things that have been taught in the classroom or helping them to understand how they can use this in upcoming exams for example, whilst others may take more of a pastoral lead. Together, you become the dream team!

Speaking to Ian Geddes, Rayburn FST for over 12 years, he said:

As I was a teacher myself for a long time, the one thing I had to learn very quickly working for Rayburn as an FST was that I was no longer a teacher. I was no longer Mr Geddes, I was Ian. And that’s a different relationship, a different dynamic, which is good and has many benefits. I tell the kids, if any of you call me sir, you have to buy me a Mars Bar – this is a great way to break the ice and establish my role in the group!

Ian Geddes
Field Study Tutor

It was interesting to see how students warm to their FSTs. Subtly sidling up alongside them and asking questions that they don’t want to ask aloud in front of their peers, or eagerly sharing the moment that “something clicked” by imparting their knowledge and newfound understanding. It’s incredible to see, and it’s one of the reasons many of our field study tutors love their jobs so much.

And, trust us, it’s not just the students who benefit from their knowledge! Don’t underestimate how much you might learn from them too.

It’s so much more than just the learning!

We know just how much goes into organising any school trip – the responsibility, the administration, the planning and processes – and things don’t get any easier once you board the coach or plane. So, how does an FST help?

“Field study tutors bring a sense of reassurance!” explains Val:

Teachers have a weight of responsibility. Nowadays with levels of health and safety required for teachers to leave the school grounds, our FSTs offer an extra level of reassurance. We know the area; we know the people and we know your itinerary. We’re able to step in and make amendments to the itinerary if forced to do so by the weather or any other elements beyond your control. One of the first things I say to any party leader as they board the coach is ‘relax, you’ve arrived. I will take it from here!’ Ian adds: “we provide support, we provide assurance, a calmness and an experience. In the end if they are wondering ‘where’s the nearest loo, I know that too!'”

Val Vannet
Field Study Tutor

FST or no FST?

Ultimately, the choice is yours! Not every group needs or wants the support of a Field Study Tutor, but for many groups it offers an extra pair of hands, an expert in your location, someone to help ensure the itinerary runs smoothly, a level of reassurance and for many geography teachers, a newfound friend!

Here’s what some of our 2023 groups had to say… (and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves!)