A level Geography students need to have a range of fieldwork experience. They need to be able to establish aims of different types of geographical investigations; to know the different methods of collecting data; and be able to use various simple and more complex ways of presenting and analysing their results in order to draw conclusions and evaluate each investigation.

30 students from Years 12 and 13 spent a long weekend with Mr. Barrett and Mrs. Enevoldsen at Skern Lodge near Bideford, Devon. Friday afternoon was spent investigating the effectiveness of different coastal management techniques at Westward Ho! as well as looking at the effects of coastal erosion and transportation on the pebble ridge. A very wet Saturday was spent looking at the characteristics of rural and urban settlements in North Devon. A very windy Sunday was spent investigating biotic and abiotic changes through Braunton Burrows sand dune ecosystem and Monday morning involved a visit to Boscastle in Cornwall to look at the new flood management techniques put in place following the disaster in 2004.

There was a lot of class work to be done each day too. Having collected a wide variety of data through the day, the students needed to present and analyse the data to come to conclusions for their investigations. Doing some of the A level statistical analysis at 8.30pm on a Saturday night is quite a challenge, but like the fantastic students that they are, all work was completed with the minimum of fuss. Consequently a lot was learnt and a lot of fun was had. In some ways the awful weather made the whole experience more fun too! Our students are now really well prepared for the exams. Bring them on!

Matt Barrett, Subject Leader for Geography