Visit Cross Hands Quarry and discover a Jurassic landscape rich in fossils from 160 million years ago. In Jurassic times Warwickshire was submerged under a shallow sea - so we can’t promise dinosaurs but we can guarantee that everyone will find at least one fossil!
The visit includes fossil hunting in a safe area of the quarry and observation of the dramatic effects that weathering has had on the limestone rock faces.
There is a rock face, which is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that shows the underlying structure of this area and the effects of geological forces.
Finds can be taken back to school for sorting, classification and further study. Some schools have found unique specimens when visiting this site.
We provide ....
- Trowels, safety goggles, specimen bags, magnifying lenses and first aid supplies
- Sample specimens to help children identify their own finds
- A Heritage Education group leader to supervise and lead your visit
This project is available all year, although we do not recommend a visit in the depths of winter as the site is very exposed!
All groups visiting the quarry must arrange personal accident insurance.
For more information about charges and how to book
|  | Curriculum Links
This visit links directly to the National Curriculum KS2 Science Unit 3D: Rocks and soils. It also relates to KS3 Science Unit 8G: Rocks and weathering and Unit 8H: The rock cycle. (QCA Schemes of work)
It covers the following KS2 Knowledge skills and understanding:
- Ideas and evidence in science: 1a
- Investigative skills and planning: a
- Obtaining and presenting evidence: a, b, c
- Considering evidence and evaluating: a
Learning objectives: Children will learn to:
- identify that rocks are used for a variety of purposes.
- identify a fossil.
- classify different fossil types.
- understand that rocks are chosen for particular purposes because of their characteristics.
- to understand that beneath all surfaces there is rock.
Learning outcomes: Children can:
- identify different types of limestone.
- understand the nature of limestone in order of ease of wearing away and permeability.
- relate the use of particular rocks to their characteristics.
- identify different limestone fossils.
- explain the appearance of fossils in limestone.
Cross Hands Quarry is an excellent environment for creative work within the art and literacy curriculum.
The following Thinking Skills are also covered:
Information Processing: Comparing/contrasting information; Identifying and analysing relationships.
Reasoning: Giving reasons for opinions/actions; Inferring; Making deductions; Using precise language to reason
Enquiry: Asking questions; Drawing conclusions.
Creativity: Applying imagination. |
