From Autumn 2005, Ludlow Museum Resource Centre, in conjunction with the Bishop Mascall Centre will be offering a package of accommodation and AS/A2 study opportunities for those following the OCR exam board geology course. A list of useful reading material regarding Shropshire geology is included at the end of this page.

There are currently three example sessions based around elements of the current OCR syllabus, but we are happy to tailor sessions to meet your individual needs. We also hope to provide sessions aimed at WJEC syllabus users in due course. If you would be interested in talking to us about these sessions or tailoring one to suit your needs then please contact us

The exemplar sessions currently on offer last approximately three hours each and include the following.

Session one: Britain on the Move – Processes and Products
This session uses a variety of rocks and fossils from Shropshire to explain how Britain has moved from south of the equator to its present position, experiencing a range of palaeo-environments on the way.

1. Introduction to building, collections and health and safety

2. Warm up exercise. A selection of specimens is given to the group which they have to individually describe without showing others. The idea is to find the other specimen in the room that goes with theirs by seeing which description matches.

3. Introduction to South Shropshire geology; an activity to illustrate the changes in the environment as Shropshire moved from South of the equator to its present position. Pictures of environments and a selection of the rocks that come from each of these are provided. The idea is to match the specimens to the pictured environment.
OCR Module 5.1.3 and Module 5.4.4

4. Having introduced a small selection of Shropshire rocks in activity 3, we move to looking at the wider picture by introducing a larger range of Shropshire specimens including igneous and metamorphic rocks. Activity - name, rock and process card game. Each student is given a couple of rock types and is asked to pair these with suitable descriptions of rocks or their formation processes. They are then asked to match these to real specimens laid on tables.
OCR Module 5.2 and Module 5.5

5. Given a simplified map of South Shropshire’s geology, students construct geological cross sections from Ludlow to Clee Hill and across the Ludlow anticline into Herefordshire.
OCR Module 5.6 and Module 5.1.4

6. End session - Having looked at the Shropshire rocks here and in the field (optional) and having completed their own cross sections for the geology around Ludlow, students look at Murchison’s cross sections for the same area and take twenty minutes to record the tale of process and environmental change that has occurred to produce the rocks you can see today. They then match the set of specimen rocks and fossils provided to suitable locations on the cross section and justify their choices. Final drawing together of results by session leader using student findings.
OCR Module 5.6 and Module 5.1.4

Session two: Quarry Visit
This field-based session takes place at two quarries along Wenlock Edge, about half an hours drive from Ludlow. Although this can be unaccompanied, for most effective use of the time we can provide a Resource Centre geologist familiar with the site to accompany you.

The session is designed to help students examine geological outcrops in the field and test their observational skills. It includes the opportunity to collect material for later analysis and since this is a working quarry there is also the chance to learn about quarrying operations and processes from their on-site staff.


Session three: Petrology and Palaeontology

This is a follow up session to the quarry visit. The focus of the session is rock classification using rock and fossil specimens collected on the quarry visit and those in the Ludlow Museum Resource Centre collections.

1. Introduction to building, collections and health and safety

2. Warm up exercise. A selection of paired specimens is given to the group that they have to individually describe without showing others. The idea for each student is to find the other specimen in the room that goes with theirs by seeing which description matches.

3. Name, rock and fossil specimens and process card game. Each student is given a couple of specimen names, for instance Granite and Basalt. They are then asked to pair these with suitable descriptions of rocks, fossils and likely formation and preservation processes. Finally they are asked to match these to real specimens laid out before them.
OCR Module 5.2 and Module 5.5

4. Having seen the rock type at the quarry, students now look at additional rocks provided at the Museum Resource Centre from around Shropshire and attempt to classify them into the three basic types sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Taking this further they then attempt to identify each specimen using written materials provided as a reference. Examples may include basalt, sandstone etc.
OCR Module 5.5

5. Session ends with a chance to identify the students own specimens collected during field work, using Museum Resource Centre resources for comparison and classification. Summary of class findings
OCR Module 5.4.2


Useful reading materials for Shropshire geology

1. Shaping of Shropshire, Shropshire Exposed. By Liz Etheridge. published by Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 2005. Price £3.50
2. Mortimer Forest Geology trail. Edited by A. Jenkinson. Published by Scenesetters, 2000. ISBN 1874200 09 2. Price £2.95
3. Geology in Shropshire, by Peter Toghill. Published by The Crowood Press Ltd 2004. ISBN 1 85310 090 0. Price £12.99