Going With The Flow!
Miss Swales is very pleased to report on the brand new GCSE geography field trip that took place in November. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed their field trip and river study, despite the very wet weather.
The new GCSE course that started in September has brand new focus for the field work - a study of the River Wyre. All twenty two students travelled to Hothersall Lodge for a three day residential to complete the river study and begin their coursework write up. The coursework element of the GCSE accounts for one quarter of the marks.
The first day the group was shown around the field work centre and then geared up with waterproofs for a demonstration along the River Brock of how to collect data using specialised equipment. At the River Brock the group practiced and perfected the techniques they would use to collect their data the following day. It took a while to get the hand of catching the float to measure the speed of the river and Hisqeel especially was found to have 'butter fingers' as his float was lost downstream several times!
The weather was not kind and the forecast was for persistent heavy rain for the duration of the day that the data was collected near the source of the River Wyre. The weather had made the river bank almost full with water and very fast flowing. Despite the wet weather spirits were high and the day was a success, even though everyone had wellies full of water! The groups worked well together and enjoyed the opportunity to use their geographical knowledge in the outdoors - after all Geography is not a classroom subject; it's about the world around us. The two instructors from Hothersall also took the opportunity to drive to Abbeystead and give a tour and tell of the disaster at the pumping station that cost many lives. The group also saw the full power of the water flowing out of the reservoir and were surprised at its force.
So much data had been collected between the groups that the collation was still taking place late into the night but there were no complaints and it was good to see such enthusiasm from the group. Fireworks were a timely break in between the data collation; after all it was November 5th.
The final day brought more coursework in the classroom and also the opportunity to relax and experience the boating late at Hothersall in the canoes before our departure.
Now the field trip is over the work in the classroom continues with the data from the River Wyre. It is hoped that the group will submit strong pieces of work to support their GCSE and in working towards their target grade. Overall it was a superb trip where the GCSE class represented the school well. The Hothersall staff commented positively on the keen attitude and how the group demonstrated application of their knowledge from the classroom in the real world. Many thanks go to the staff that helped on the trip especially the staff at Hothersall for making our stay so comfortable and welcoming and to Mr Briggs, Mr Hamilton, Miss Harris and Mr Shaw.
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