Report on the latest Geography Field Trip

Wednesday 7th April 2010

Report on the Geography Field Trip to Nettlecombe Court,Somerset
22-25 March 2010

The Geography department took year 12 Geography students to the Nettlecombe Court field study centre in Somerset for their IB fieldwork. The purpose of the trip was to provide the experience of fieldwork skills, to examine at first hand the topics and issues discussed in the classroom as well as to collect data for their coursework projects.

The group was based at the magnificent Leonard Wills field centre at Nettlcombe Park and the course was led by the FSC centre staff. After an early morning start (6.30am from Barton Court) and looking very smart in our specially-commissioned Somerset sheep hoodies (thanks, Hannah), we arrived at the centre in the early afternoon, were given a brief tour of the house and had lunch. By 3pm we were in the classroom for an introductory talk to our afternoon’s fieldwork – river mechanics. Our site was a meander section of the river Doniford, a short minibus-drive away from the centre, and we spent the afternoon investigating channel characteristics and measuring parameters in the pool and riffle sections of the river. The students thoroughly enjoyed paddling in the stream (completely risk-assessed) and collected an armful of good quality data which provided the basis for follow-up work; it was also an excellent photo opportunity! The evening classroom session ended at 8.30pm after which the students had a two-hour recreation period before bed.

The second day started with an early-morning run for the most adventurous of the group. The pace was quickly set by Mr. Morgan but slowed a little to allow Dan and Nathan to walk back to the centre, their appetites sharpened! The topic for the second day was coastal management and was based at two sites in Porlock Bay and a third site at Minehead. The students proved to be very efficient data-collectors, measuring all aspects of beach gradient, clast characteristics and management, before heading to look at the area of managed retreat a mile away. By now, it was raining steadily yet Tom and Josh still managed a smile for the ever-intrusive Grayson camera lens! The evening session was spent analyzing the data, getting to grips with chi-squared tests, before we all headed up the hill to find mobile phone signals.

The third day started with a slight improvement in the weather – drizzle rather than steady rain. Today’s study in the field involved an examination of environmental quality and changing retail provision in Taunton; once again, the students collected the data very efficiently, allowing time for some of the girls to fulfill their ambition of visiting Primark! Another batch of good quality data emerged during the follow-up session, allowing statistical testing to take place in the evening session. The academic day ended just after 8.30pm, with a Grayson powerpoint (what else?) showing the highlights of the trip. Somerset 'sheep of the week' awards (for notable contributions to the field trip) were awarded to Hannah (organizing the sweatshirts), Tom (most cheerful expression in the rain and establishing friendly relations with other schools staying at the centre) and Becky (always positive).

I would like to report on yet another successful trip during which the students conducted themselves in an exemplary manner at all times. The FSC staff commented on their enthusiasm and willingness to get involved in every aspect of the trip and their unfailing courtesy. Each day involved long sessions in the field and late classes in the evening but the students completed a great deal of work which should result in some excellent coursework projects. I would like to thank Andy Nelson, our excellent course tutor, and Mr. Richard Morgan for his dedicated support and infectious enthusiasm at all times. We look forward to the next trip.

Mrs Grayson
March 2010