Year 12: Geography Lake District Keswick and Silloth

The Year 12 geographers enjoyed a gloriously hot three days at the Blencathra Field Studies Centre in the Lake District. They got to try a smorgasbord of fieldwork techniques and ideas to help them plan their own investigation, a core part of their A Level. On Day 1, they practised human geography techniques in Keswick town and lakeside. These techniques included practise interviews, environmental quality surveys, field sketches and land use mapping.

On Thursday morning, with blue skies ahoy, we headed to the North Cumbrian Seaside town of Silloth. We had fantastic views of the Isle of Man and Scotland! We measured the size and shape of beach material and the effectiveness of sea defences including. We then headed to the harbour area to study the development of sand dunes and how humans can impact their stability. Students loved the sea air and the ice creams! We then headed back to the centre for a write up then dinner. The evening event was a basketball session with other ‘Geography friends’ from other UK schools.

The students were fantastic. They engaged throughout, and really enjoyed the residential. The FSC actually commented on how polite and focussed the students were. Well done to all involved!

Mr Whitaker, Miss Hennessey and Mr May