The weather outside is frightful...

We continue today to be affected by the snow showers. This morning I battled the weather to get to school. I listened carefully to Radio Devon and had a few chats with some of the other teachers, but finally decided to give the journey a go. I managed to drive out of my road, only to skid into the pavement in the next road. After three attempts to pull away again, I was Okehampton bound. The roads had been gritted well overnight and the sky was blue! I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about. Well, when approaching Whiddon Down a light flurry of snow started falling, but then got heavier and heavier! I turned off the A30 heading for Okehampton and could barely see the car in front of me. The snow had settled on the roads incredibly quickly and it was difficult to see where the road ended and the pavements began. It took 25 minutes to get from Whiddon Down to the school (normally 7 minutes). There were cars facing all directions and a lorry that had skidded. My wheels were locking every time I pressed the brake. I eventually got into the school car park and swerved my way into a space. The freak snow shower quickly passed and this was what was left...



The difficult decision was made to send all students home and many staff did the same due to the unpredictable nature of these snow showers. As for me, my journey home was possibly more eventful than the one there! The snow I'd travelled through on the way in was quickly being thawed by the glorious sunshine. However, the snow started again when I got to the 50mph speed limit along the A30. By the time I'd got to the A380 at Haldon Hill, it was heavier than it had been in the morning. Cars were queued for a couple of miles trying to slide their way down the hill towards Exeter. Fortunately I was going the other way. I turned off the dual carriageway onto the Teignmouth road which was thick with snow. I dropped down to 5mph. A car coming the other way had it's hazard lights on and stopped me, saying several cars had skidded into each other further down the road and it was impassable. I did a 3-point turn (of sorts!) and headed back the way I came. I found an alternative route and finally arrived in Teignmouth where the sky was blue and the sun shining - yet 3 miles down the road there were dark skies, snow and traffic chaos!

To keep yourself up to date with the weather for the rest of this week, use the following links...

BBC Weather 5 day forecast for Okehampton
SW England Severe Weather Warnings

Let us hear your stories of the snow by adding a comment to this post! If you have any pictures of our wintry weather, please email them to me (both students and staff) and I'll add them to the blog.

Here's our first contribution. Mrs Clayton's wonderful snowman...someone has been busy!
Here's our next contribution. Thank you Mr Palmer!

And another one...Ms Murray-Jude this time!

Thanks to Emma Siddall (Year 12) for these pictures of the snow in Sheepwash!

Kung Fu Plate Boundaries

A fun and energetic way to revise the plate boundaries!!



Thanks to Odblog and Adam Brewer.

GCSE Case Study Template

Here's the case study template that we will be using in lessons and as homework activities to help you prepare for the summer exams for Year 11. For Year 10 students, we will be using these templates as part of an on-going processes of revision for end of unit exam questions and to start building up a bank of case studies as the course progresses.


Case Study Template for GCSE

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

It would be a good idea for you to download an electronic copy as you can then edit it to suit specific case studies. Paper copies will also be available from your geography teacher.

Case Study template now available to download from Okehampton College's new Frog VLE!!

Students click here to go directly to the Frog login.

Good Luck Year 11 and 13!

Monday is a big exam day for our great geographers! Wishing you all luck...



Year 11
Don't forget that the DME PowerPoint was posted on here a little while ago if you need it. Think sustainable or unsustainable!!!

Year 13
When discussing the effectiveness of hazard management, remember that their success depends on a number of factors...

• Type of hazard - eg hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, flooding, tornado
• Frequency - how often the hazard happens
• Magnitude - the size of the hazard event
• Spatial/areal reliability - how reliable the management is over a particular space and area
• Speed of Onset - how quickly the hazard starts e.g. earthquakes have a quick speed of onset whereas volcanic eruptions are slower
• Technology available
• Education - is the population aware of what to do in the event of a hazard?
• Preparedness - is the region and its population prepared for the event?
• Economic resources - MEDC? LEDC?
• History - have they learnt any lessons from previous events?

If you need to ask any questions about either exams, add them to the comments at the end of this post and I'll answer them!!!

Year 9 options: GCSE Geography

The time to decide your GCSE options is quickly approaching with the options evening on Thursday 22nd January! Check out the PowerPoint below to find out if Geography might be the right decision for you!

GCSE Geography Promotion

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

To find out more about GCSE Geography, speak to Mr Gurney or Miss Blackmore.