Step 1: Plans, maps & models
Gathering together all the resources you might need before you begin your investigation will help things to run smoothly.
Essential
Plans or aerial photographs of your site they are now.
These don’t need to be an accurately surveyed plan but they should give a general indication of your site and its main features, and should also include the surrounding area.
You could begin by finding out what maps or plans are available from within school. Try talking to your site manager or staff in your Geography Department. Alternatively you may be able to get hold of an up-to-date plan from your Local Authority. Contact them to find out if they have a Grounds Maintenance Department, Property Services Department or Map Services Bureau who could help you.
Plans and aerial photographs are also available from a variety of web sites including:
www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/
Desirable
A photographic record of the main outdoor spaces as they are now
An electronic 3D model of the school buildings and grounds
If these are not available from your Technology Department perhaps there is someone within school who might be interested in preparing them. Think about asking for help using your school’s regular channels of communication (eg.school bulletins, school newspaper, assemblies, noticeboards). ‘Sketch up’ software that allows you to build a 3D model is available as a free download www.sketchup.com/ and may already be familiar to people within your school.
