This week, 108 of our Year 11 geography students swapped the classroom for the Fylde Coast as part of the second of two compulsory fieldwork visits for their GCSE Geography course.
The focus of the visit was to investigate how effective coastal management schemes are in protecting our coastline. Over two days, pupils visited several locations along the coast, collecting data and putting their classroom knowledge into practice.
The day began amongst the sand dunes at St Anne’s. Here, pupils revisited key learning from their coastal landscapes topic, identifying different stages of dune succession and exploring how the dune system has developed over time. Students also completed field sketches and observations to help deepen their understanding of this unique environment.
From there, the groups travelled to Rossall Point to investigate some of the coastal defences that form part of the area’s management scheme. Pupils surveyed sea walls, rock armour and groynes, considering how successful each method is in reducing the risks of erosion and flooding.
After lunch, the fieldwork continued on the beach at Fleetwood. With the tide safely out, students measured sand levels on either side of the groynes and carried out sediment surveys, examining the size and roundness of material found along the beach. The data collected will now form part of their GCSE studies back in the classroom.
The weather largely behaved itself, although a little Lancashire “mizzle” followed us up the coast during part of the day! Fortunately, it did little to dampen spirits, and pupils approached every activity with enthusiasm.
One of the highlights for many students was the chance to explore the sand dune system at St Anne’s and see first-hand the landscapes they have previously only studied in textbooks. Others particularly enjoyed using fieldwork equipment to collect and analyse data on the beach.
The pupils were a credit to Saint Aidan’s throughout both visits. Their behaviour, attitude and willingness to get involved were excellent, and staff were impressed by how positively they approached each task.
A huge thank you to Mr Eccles, Mrs Wilson and Miss Bentley for their support across the two days.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop the geographical skills needed for GCSE success while gaining a better understanding of the coastline on our doorstep.
Mr Corbridge