A scheme to promote field trips for geography teachers and students who may otherwise miss out has been launched by the Royal Geographical Society.

The Learning and Leading programme will pay for 16 A-level students and 16 geography teachers to attend separate week-long fieldwork summer schools every year for the next six years.

The courses are aimed at helping GCSE and A-level teachers who feel they need more training in managing field trips, and students who have missed out because they cannot afford them.

Pilot courses were held last month at Swanage in Dorset, one attended by five teachers, the other by nine students. The students had the chance to visit locations in the area to see geographical features for themselves, to learn about new technology such as Google Earth, and to carry out mini- research projects. They also met geography students studying at university.

Steve Brace, head of education at the RGS-IBG, said: “We know some schools don’t offer residential fieldwork. These bursaries are for those who do not have these opportunities. We want to show them what they can do at university.”

The location of the summer school will change each year and the bursaries will cover all costs.

Details and application forms for next year available early next term at www.rgs.orgOurWorkLandL.