The Upper Sixth Geographers have just completed their fieldwork studies which form 20% of their final A Level grade. All projects have to be individual and include advanced statistics and presentation techniques.
The first two days were spent assisting the students in gaining the local knowledge and training them in various fieldwork techniques. They visited Corfe to look at ‘Place and Space’. On the second day they went to Boscombe to look at deprivation and the recent regeneration of the seafront. They then went to Swanage and Studland Bay to look at the coastal defences, ecosystems and sediment cells. On Sunday evening the students completed their coursework plans.
Spencer Cole decided to study the sustainability of the Swanage Coastal Defence Scheme. Maddy Northcott looked at if it was worth defending Swanage or should the government move to a managed retreat strategy – is this a successful coastal management scheme? Matthew Boddy studied the health of the sand dune ecosystem in Studland Bay and Caoimhe Collery looked at comparing areas within Swanage, looking at deprivation variations between two local areas.
The weather on the day of data collection was against them, with an onshore wind and driving rain throughout the day. However, they persevered through this. Once one student had completed their data collection, they were keen to then assist their peers in completing their data collection. Ben, the tutor at Leeson House said that he really enjoyed working with the students from Sidcot School. He said that the group were really keen on completing their study in such harsh weather conditions.
The coursework will now be completed over the next few weeks ready for submission in November.
Matthew Curtis-Dyke
Assistant Head (Coordination) / Teacher of Geography
