The SFC1 A Level Geography students embarked on a five day residential field trip to research, plan, and collect data for their coursework. The trip included both urban and coastal investigations, covering key human and physical geography components of the course.
The first stop was London, where students carried out a field study on the regeneration of Stratford. Despite it being the hottest day of the year so far they showed great resilience, collecting data on environmental quality, land use, and public perceptions through questionnaires, all while squeezing in essential shade and ice cream breaks. This urban investigation gave them valuable insight into the impacts and effectiveness of regeneration in a rapidly changing part of the capital.
From there, the group travelled to Slapton Sands in Devon to explore the physical geography of the coast. Students investigated how both human and natural processes have shaped the landscape over time, examining factors such as coastal erosion, sea defences, and sediment movement. The contrast between urban regeneration and coastal management provided a rich foundation for their individual coursework projects.
It was a demanding but rewarding trip, requiring focus, teamwork, and adaptability. The students approached every challenge with a positive attitude, gaining not only essential fieldwork skills but also a deeper understanding of geographical processes in real-world contexts.
Many thanks to Mrs Hall, Mrs Brewis and Mrs Floyd for all their hard work on this trip.
Mrs Burrows, Teacher of Geography
The LC1s went on the annual trip to the beautiful location of Blackpool Brook in the Forest of Dean.
The weather held long enough for our students to gather some excellent data on cross sectional area and velocity for analysis on return to the classroom. Students have learnt about the Drainage Basin characteristics and will present their data to compare the erosion and deposition on straight and meandering sections of the river channel.
This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to carry out group work and experience their academic learning in a real world river. To conclude the term, they will study flooding and the importance of learning about hydrology.
Once the heavens opened, we retreated to the coach and back to College to dry off. Well done to our LC1 classes, some of whom showed great resilience in the face of a welcome rain storm for the UK!
Mrs Floyd, Teacher of Geography
The SFC1 IB geography students travelled to Devon for a residential field trip to collect data for their Internal Assessment. They stayed in a charming, rustic hotel just a five-minute walk from the River Holford, providing the perfect base for their investigations. Blessed with beautiful weather throughout the trip, the students were able to gather data from multiple sites along the river, from its source in the Quantock Hills to its mouth at Kilve Pill on the Bristol Channel.
The fieldwork involved a range of hands-on techniques and provided an excellent opportunity to apply classroom theory to real-world environments. Students measured variables such as river velocity, channel width, and sediment size, all while gaining valuable experience in data collection and analysis.
The trip had its memorable moments: there was a dramatic tumble down a steep slope, a surprise plunge into the river, and a soggy wallet incident that won’t soon be forgotten! The group also celebrated a seventeenth birthday, complete with cake. Despite the mishaps, students remained upbeat and approached each task with energy, teamwork, and good humour.
Overall, the trip was a great success. Not only did the students make an excellent start on their Internal Assessment projects, but they also built stronger connections with their peers and developed key fieldwork skills that will benefit them throughout the IB course.
Many thanks to Mrs Beedle and Mr White for organising and running the field work.
Our LC3 geography trip to Cadbury World was an exciting and educational experience that brought to life several key themes from the GCSE geography curriculum. Although it might seem like a fun day out filled with chocolate (which it certainly was!), the visit also introduced students to important ideas in economic geography and the changing nature of industry in the UK.
The trip began with a journey through the history of chocolate and how the industry grew in Britain, focusing particularly on the origins of Cadbury as a company. Students learned how Cadbury was established during the growth of UK manufacturing in the 19th century, and how its location in Bournville was influenced by factors such as transport links, labour supply, and access to resources - core ideas within locational theory and industrial geography.
A talk from Cadbury staff explored how the brand has evolved and where the company is heading in the future. This tied in closely with themes of globalisation and mechanisation; students discovered how production has become more automated and how Cadbury, now part of a multinational corporation, sources ingredients from around the world and distributes its products globally. This helped students make real-world connections to the GCSE topics of global trade, economic change, and transnational corporations (TNCs).
In addition to the educational aspects, students got hands-on experience by trying chocolate tempering and decorating, giving them insight into food production processes. The interactive displays and factory experiences made the learning highly engaging and memorable.
Of course, no visit to Cadbury World would be complete without a stop at the famous chocolate shop.
Overall, the field trip was a brilliant way to link classroom learning with real-world industry, helping students understand the complex factors behind one of the UK’s most iconic brands. Big thanks to Mr White for planning and organising the day and to the staff who accompanied it.
Mrs Burrows, Teacher of Geography
On Tuesday 3rd June, we travelled to the well known tourist honeypot site of Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, one of Britain’s most iconic natural landmarks. Armed with waterproofs and clipboards, groups set off to explore the dramatic landscape and carry out a series of fieldwork tasks.
Cheddar Gorge is famous for its towering limestone cliffs, which rise over 120 metres, and the deep gorge carved by glacial meltwater over thousands of years. As part of our geographical investigation into tourism and land use, students completed pedestrian counts to assess footfall in various locations, allowing them to identify tourist hotspots and observe patterns of movement. Land use surveys were also conducted to analyse how the space within the gorge and village is utilised - ranging from shops and cafes to open natural areas - giving insight into how human activity has shaped the landscape.
A key highlight of the visit was the opportunity to go deep underground into Gough’s Cave, a spectacular cave system formed over 500,000 years ago. Inside, we were amazed by the magical stalactites and stalagmites, vast echoing chambers, and dramatic rock formations shaped by nature over millennia. The cave is also of archaeological significance, with ancient human remains and artefacts providing a glimpse into prehistoric life.
With the sun emerging later in the day, we continued our fieldwork above ground. Many students climbed Jacob’s Ladder - a steep flight of 274 steps leading to a lookout point offering panoramic views of the gorge and surrounding countryside. The climb was a physical challenge, but the reward was well worth it for the stunning scenery and photo opportunities.
We also explored the charming village of Cheddar, where groups conducted questionnaires with both tourists and local residents. These surveys provided valuable qualitative data on visitor motivations, opinions about crowding and conservation, and views on how tourism is managed in the area.
Overall, the trip to Cheddar Gorge was an enriching and memorable experience, bringing geographical concepts to life through hands-on fieldwork in a real-world setting.
Mrs Burrows, Teacher of Geography
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