On 3 and 4 May, all Year 10 Geography students embarked on a trip to Epping Forest and the parish of Loughton in order to learn practical fieldwork skills and to collect data for their GCSE.

On the first day, the three classes spent the first half of the morning being tested on their knowledge of rivers by the Field Studies Centre Staff which allowed for some useful revision, before going out to collect results from the local area.  This year was different to previous years in the sense that students were given the equipment required and had to collaborate in order to work out the most effective method of collecting their data, rather than being shown what to do.  This allowed for them to really think through the process behind the data collection and develop some good teamwork skills.

In the afternoon the students spent their time down at the river, at three different sites collecting data including the width, depth and velocity.  We were able to see key features such as meanders and deposition as we moved down the course of the river.

The second day provided a real contrast as students investigated the level of deprivation within two wards in Loughton, some data analysis was done in the classroom using ipads and census data. The students then put theory into practise and conducted environmental quality surveys, pedestrian counts and land use surveys.

The groups demonstrated a real sense of awe and wonder on the trip and it was an excellent and invaluable experience of geography in the field.

“The first day was on things rivers, we measured a range of characteristics at different points along Debden Brook where many people underestimated both the depth of the brook and the ability of their wellington boots to keep them dry.

The second day was looking at Loughton, most famously the scene of The Only Way is Essex. We visited the high street and looked at two different areas; St Mar’s and Debden comparing their apparent development”

Gregory Florez, Year 10 Bow/SBe