Key stage 3 and 4
We tailor our school visits and site tours to meet the national curriculum’s requirements for key stage 3 (KS3) and key stage 4 (KS4).
What do we offer?
Our activities support science and geography objectives at both KS3 and KS4.
Science
A visit to one of our water treatment or water recycling centres is a great way to see how science is applied practically.
Subjects and areas covered during a visit can include:
Chemistry
- Earth’s water resources and obtaining potable water
- pH scale for measuring alkalis/acids
- separating mixtures (filtration).
Biology
- aerobic/anaerobic respiration in micro-organisms
- ecosystems and the role of micro-organisms
- health and disease
- physics
- burning fuels.
What will they learn?
Pupils can develop their scientific thinking by understanding how we use processes, such as the use of chemicals to balance pH or sterilise water contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria.
They can also discover:
- how micro-organisms are used as a fundamental part of the water recycling process
- how sludge extracted from sewage is recycled in anaerobic digesters to provide fertilisers for farmers and a way to obtain methane gas to generate electricity and fuel vehicles.
A visit to one of our education centres is also an opportunity for pupils to:
- improve their experimental skills and strategies
- carry out measurements through activities such as water testing
- analyse and evaluate the outcomes of tests.
Alternatively, we can visit your school to deliver these activities.
Geography
The environment is fundamental to the services we provide, and we are striving constantly to improve the ecosystems in which we work.
This links to a variety of geographical objectives and means we can support the curriculum in the following areas:
Physical geography
- rocks and weathering
- soils
- weather and climate
- hydrology and coasts.
Human geography
- how processes influence and change landscapes
- how human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems
- population and urban developments
- the use of natural resources.
What will they learn?
Our water treatment, water recycling centres and reservoirs are in or close to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Students can learn how we work with organisations, such as wildlife trusts and the Environment Agency, to protect or improve natural habitats and river catchments.
A visit to one of our sites is a good opportunity to carry out fieldwork, allowing students to collect, analyse and communicate data.
Educational resources for KS3 and KS4
Download our free educational resources for ages 11 and older.
Schools and careers engagement
We work with schools, colleges and universities to make children and students aware of the career opportunities at Wessex Water.