Mrs McPhail (Geography Teacher)

Last year the Fieldwork in Bedford with the Lower Sixth A Level Geographers was the first fieldwork that we completed in 2021 after pandemic restrictions. This year we are already on our third field trip (Year 9 Castleton residential, Upper Sixth Swanage residential in Dorset) with five more planned this academic year, two of which will take place in March.

Last week, the Lower Sixth A Level Geographers spent time walking a set route through Bedford from the school site to Queen’s Park and back. This is a trip we do to look at changes that are taking place and to observe at first hand the different areas of the town that make Bedford what it is.  Last year considerable changes were taking place in the High street where we dodged road works whereas this year we saw the finished product with new paving areas around the Faces and Allhallows and whilst large chain stores are still vacant there have been attempts to cheer the environment up with vinyl wrapping.

At 12 different sites the students observed people and peoples use of space, completed Environmental Quality surveys and used a GIS app on their phones to complete a survey that we had pre-planned. Capturing data in ‘real time’ is fantastic and allows Geographers to analyse and present data using complex skills. The information gathered provides key material for the Changing Places unit in the Human Geography paper and is vital preparation for the NEAs (Non – Examined Assessment – coursework) that the students will complete independently this year.

The route ended at the Higgins Museum which holds a permanent exhibit called Somewhere in England where the students looked at the history behind Bedford’s growth as an important town and the ‘Great Bedfordians’ section which highlights the key influencers throughout time.  Sir William Harpur being one of them.  This year we were fortunate to be able to visit the Going to Town exhibition (running until 20th March) where beautiful artworks showed how Bedford has changed over time; artistic interpretation of place being a key part of our specification in the Human Paper. Many commented on how lovely Bedford was and reflected on the changes that have gone on over time. 

Grace Maguire said: “It was such an interesting experience, especially to learn about the historical and cultural aspects of Bedford.”

Etienne Maughan added: “It was really good to apply what we’d been learning in lessons to our local area in a fun and interactive way.”