All 43 L6th Geographers following both the A Level and IB courses spent three days in Dorset studying the Jurassic coast and learning the skills needed to complete their coursework. The sun shone on us as we started with a boat trip from Poole to Swanage sailing out of the ria that is Poole harbour between the spits of Studland and Sandbanks.

 

The Old Harry Rock's demonstrated perfectly the formation of caves, arches and stacks, whilst the ancient geological processes that formed this coastline were clearly evident in the turbulent rock strata. In Swanage students studied the effectiveness of groynes as a coastal management strategy.

Day two saw plenty of suncream being applied before heading to the beach! All day was spent at Studland measuring the dunes to see if they conform to the textbook model and seeing how well the area manages the natural environment given its status as a honeypot site.

The pupils showed exemplary fieldwork skills, sampling their sites effectively, collecting excellent data and even witnessing the biodiversity firsthand by watching the lizards. Each evening ended with a work session, writing up methodologies, performing statistical tests or completing soil sample analysis. 

For me the most enjoyable part was collecting data in the sand dunes, recording infiltration rates and vegetation cover from the strand line back inland (despite getting very wet collecting water from the sea!) We learnt a lot about our case studies, especially about the Old Harry’s rocks area on our boat trip along the Jurassic coast. Overall we all had a great time enjoying the beautiful scenery and learning a lot of important skills in preparation for collecting our NEA data over the summer.  (Charlotte - A Level)

 

Finally they visited Lulworth Cove to witness how the geology of the coastline can create incredible bays and it gave the pupils the opportunity to practice their field sketches and witness mass movement processes as well as wave refraction first hand.

The Geography trip was an amazing experience, allowing all of us to grow as geographers and ourselves. Throughout the trip, we encountered new challenges, both in our classroom and during our practical activities at the beach, which we overcame with success. I am very grateful for this memorable educational experience and I hope to encounter something similar in the future. (Lukas - IB)

My favourite part of the trip was visiting Lulworth cove, it was amazing to see the honeypot site and the beautiful views of the caves and arches created along the concordant coastline, as well as the fascinating site of the vertical rock strata, It was also nice to spend some time in the cove and fail dramatically at skimming stones! (Holly - A Level)