Year 11 Field Trip to South Devon

October 24, 2016

48 enthusiastic Year 11 Geographers recently visited the Slapton Ley Field Studies Centre in South Devon to study coasts as part of their GCSE course.  The immediate area around the field centre is an excellent location for coastal fieldwork, with a wide range of coastal features and coastal defences, and a history of storms.

During our long weekend of fieldwork pupils completed one and a half days of fieldwork and data collection for their Controlled Assessment task which focuses on coastal management, ‘explain how coastal management strategies in Start Bay have taken conflicting views into account?’

On the Friday we set out for Start Point a large headland to the south of Start Bay.  Pupils were tasked with collecting data from 5 locations:  Hallsands, Beesands, Sunnydale, Torcross and Slapton Sands.  The groups had a multitude of data to gather, ranging from bipolar surveys of sea defences, cost/benefit analysis, flood risk surveys and beach profiles.  The weather was perfect; the girls enjoyed the 5 mile coastal walk and worked efficiently in their groups getting faster with each survey site.

Saturday morning was spent in Torcross and Slapton Sands carrying out a questionnaire survey.  Essential information was gathered from visitors and local people on their views of local coastal management and sea defences.

Saturday afternoon and Sunday were spent in the classroom with our FSC tutors.  Pupils worked industriously, beginning their Controlled Assessment write-up:  Introduction and Methodology sections as well as considering data presentation.

A highly productive but fun weekend was had by all, we were blessed with fine weather and as always the catering at Slapton was second to none.

“Start Bay is an excellent place to study as it has a range of coastal defences and coastal processes. I really enjoyed the field trip.”

“I understand more about sea defences.”

“It was a really positive experience for me. I enjoyed working with friends.”

 

Mr Meek – Head of Geography