Mrs McPhail (Geography Teacher)

Last week, the Year 9 students visited Castleton in Derbyshire for two days (23rd-24th September) of Geography fieldwork. It was particularly special this year having missed being able to go last year due to pandemic restrictions. 111 students took up this opportunity with enthusiasm and loved being able to be together, experience the joys of residential trips and see a different and beautiful landscape.

Whilst driving through Sheffield, the students saw at first hand the way in which the city has been regenerated. The closeness of the Peak District National Park to the buzzing university area is always a surprise for the girls and soon we were witnessing beautiful limestone scenery. 

First stop was Ladybower Reservoir, where the students learnt about the Derwent Valley and the way in which the dam was used to prepare the British in their attack on the German dams in WW2.

Then onward to Castleton, before a long walk around Mam Tor admiring limestone scenery and the beautiful Hope Valley. Learning outside the classroom is fundamental in enabling the students to be able to appreciate the themes learned in class. They sketched and annotated diagrams and walked through the spectacular Winnat’s Pass before heading to the YHA.

Friday was another packed day, starting with Treak Cliff Cavern to see spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. We then visited two sites along Peakshole Water and conducted river surveys. Everyone enjoyed the chance to experience new skills and bring back plenty of information to use for the assessment back in the classroom.

We were so lucky with the dry and bright weather on Thursday – the girls saw Castleton at its best and all worked hard and even in the drizzle on Friday girls showed weather was not something to stop fieldwork taking place.

Niya Nair (9SCM) said: “Castleton consisted of walking up lots of hills but even though it was quite hard it taught us to be resilient and to persevere.”

Lennita Pitt (9SCM) said: “I had fun learning about the landscape of Castleton and visiting the village with my friends.”

Isla Campbell (9MMM) said: “Castleton was such an amazing area, and being able to explore it with all of my friends was a one-time opportunity, I thoroughly enjoyed it!”

View photos from the trip here.

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