By Mr Thurston (Geography Teacher)
Last week, our Lower Sixth Geography students took part in an educational trip to Dorset, developing essential fieldwork skills while exploring one of the UK’s most spectacular coastal landscapes.
Upon arrival at lunchtime, our first stop was Boscombe, where students examined both deprivation and regeneration. They looked at evidence of deprivation, considering factors such as housing, employment and social inequality to understand the challenges facing the community. We also noted the redevelopment taking place to improve the situation.
On the second day, we visited the stunning Jurassic Coast to investigate high energy coastal environments. Students explored Chesil Beach, a remarkable storm beach formed by longshore drift, before heading to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove to study coastal erosion, geology and landform development. Seeing these iconic coastal features firsthand brought our classroom learning to life.
On the final day, we travelled to Poundbury, an urban extension of Dorchester designed by King Charles III. Our focus was on sense of place and how design, architecture and community planning influence the way people experience and connect with their surroundings.
Throughout the trip, we stayed at Leeson House near Swanage, where we were incredibly well looked after. The tuition was excellent, the staff were friendly and the food was delicious, definitely a highlight after long days in the field. A huge thank you to the team there. The experience has been invaluable in preparing students for upcoming fieldwork and we returned with a greater appreciation of both human and physical geography.
Elizabeth Julyan (Lower Sixth) said: “The experience really opened my eyes to issues of economic inequalities we face in the UK; comparing the stark difference of Poundbury and Boscombe shocked me and highlighted the effects of deprivation.”
Ella Gentle (Lower Sixth) added: “On the geography trip I enjoyed when we went to visit Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove as the weather was good which made the walk there very enjoyable. I also enjoyed when we measured the beach profile and found out the reasons why the sediment changes at different areas of the beach. We stayed at Lesson House which was a lovely place and had very good food!”
View the scenic photos here.
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