From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, November 20, 2008

THE Jurassic Coast is the subject of a new DVD to be used as a study aid in Devon schools.

The "Jurassic Coast DVD Pack for Schools", funded by the Jurassic Coast Trust and Devon County Council's Devon Education Services (DES), has been made specifically for schools and showcases the rocks, fossils and landforms across 95 miles of the World Heritage Site.

In creating the DVD, education specialists at DES and the Jurassic Coast Team have given careful consideration to the teaching materials that accompany the film to create relevant, engaging and challenging activities that aim to raise children's attainment.

It includes accompanying classroom materials, focuses on the physical processes that form the coast and also the issues that arise from communities that live along the Jurassic Coast. It has been written to the new National Curriculum programme of study in geography and is suitable for use with pupils at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4.

Councillor John Smith, Devon County Council Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services, said: "We have a world-class education resource literally on our doorstep in Devon and this programme will help schools make the best possible use of the Jurassic Coast across a number of subjects. It demonstrates the wealth of talent we have within Devon County Council and Devon Education Services."

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "The Jurassic Coast is a stunning stretch of coastline that is recognised worldwide, and it holds a wealth of information on life from millions of years ago. I'm pleased that Devon Education Services and the Jurassic Coast Trust have seen the benefit of using our local environment for pupils' studies. It makes the subject very relevant for youngsters and generates enthusiasm in their surroundings."

The resources are divided into easy to navigate sections that enable the teacher to support pupils to understand:

• The importance of the Jurassic Coast and its designation as a World Heritage Site;
• The processes of coastal erosion and the classic landforms they create;
• How engineers seek to defend the coast from erosion;
• How conflicts arise and need to be managed when people and property are threatened by coastal erosion.

The resource pack culminates in a real decision making exercise in which pupils must decide on a sustainable management plan for Pennington Point at Sidmouth where eleven properties and their inhabitants are faced with collapse into the sea.

David Weatherly, adviser for geography and education for sustainable development for DES, said: "Supporting young people to understand real environmental and sustainability issues is an important objective of the National Curriculum. This digital resource will help teachers to engage pupils in thinking through alternative approaches to addressing environmental challenges such as coastal erosion as well as enabling them to appreciate the powerful natural forces that are continuously shaping this unique stretch of coastline in Dorset and Devon."

James Weld, Chairman of the Jurassic Coast Trust said: "The Trust supports a number of educational tools, and this DVD is the latest in our learning support material. It will benefit both pupils and teachers alike in an engaging and informative way, to learn about the causes and effects of erosion on the Jurassic Coast."

The DVD is on sale for £39.99 from www.deseducation.org/. Follow the link for 'Shop' or telephone 01392 384839.

Notes for Editors:

The Jurassic Coast: 185 million years of geological history forms England's first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jurassic Coast of Dorset and East Devon, which covers 95 miles of stunning coastline from Old Harry Rocks at Studland in the East to Orcombe Point in Exmouth in the West, was given this prestigious status in 2001. For further information about the Jurassic Coast visit www.jurassiccoast.com

The Jurassic Coast Trust uses contributions to support education, conservation, arts, science, and sustainable development projects along the Jurassic Coast. For information about the Jurassic Coast Trust, contact the Executive Officer, Nikki Greenleaf on 01460 242780 nikki.greenleaf@jurassiccoasttrust.org. www.jurassiccoasttrust.org

Devon Education Services has the DVD for sale on their website www.deseducation.org for £39.99. Follow the link for 'Shop'.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.

Councillor John Smith, 01626 772223.