Year 12 Geographers visit Dorset
A little earlier this half term, Year 12 Geographers set out on a four-day trip to the Dorset Coastline.
Was it cold? Yes.
Was it windy? A little bit.
But did we manage to collect data for our NEAs, as well as find time for fun with our friends? Absolutely!
The purpose of the field trip was to collect primary data for our individual investigations in either physical or human geography. Dorset offered ideal sites for both: Swanage and Studland Bay for their dynamic coastal processes, and Boscombe (Bournemouth) as an example of recent urban regeneration. Unlike in Year 11, we were responsible for designing our own investigations, choosing our methods, and gathering the data that would form the basis of our NEAs in Year 13.
The first two days were spent getting familiar with the main fieldwork techniques. On day one, we visited Boscombe to practise human geography methods, carrying out surveys at several sites to assess levels of deprivation. On day two, we travelled to Studland Bay and Swanage Bay to use systematic sampling. We worked along the sand dunes to see how conditions change inland and completed beach profiles to measure slope and collect clear visual data. In the evenings, the staff at Leeson House taught us more about sampling techniques. During our free time, we unwound with surprisingly intense table tennis games and some very close snooker matches!
The night before day three was the toughest part of the trip: finalising our own independent investigations. I changed my mind countless times (there were just too many possibilities to choose from), but eventually we all settled on a focus for the big day ahead. Day three ended up being the best. The weather was perfect, morale was high, and we collected our data efficiently enough to return early, just in time for more table tennis!
Our final day took us to the dramatic landscapes of Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole, where we rounded off the trip with plenty of photos before heading back to Wilson’s.
For me, two things stood out. First was spending time along one of the UK’s most stunning coastlines, full of picturesque views. The second was getting to share this experience with friends - something not everyone gets the chance to do.
Throughout the field trip, we learnt many valuable skills. Yes, we gained valuable fieldwork knowledge (how to collect accurate and reliable data), but also learned soft skills such as teamwork, organisation and efficient methodology. These lessons go far beyond geography and apply to a wide range of subjects and real-world situations. The trip gave us confidence in our fieldwork abilities and a clearer understanding of what our NEAs will involve.
Article written by Rayaan (Year 12)
