Our Year 10 Geography students recently took part in an exciting and enriching field trip to Walton-on-the-Naze, putting classroom theory into real-world context through a full day of hands-on investigation and data collection.

The day was divided into two parts, beginning with physical geography fieldwork in the morning. Students kicked things off with a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and discuss how these could be mitigated. Then, armed with data collection tools and plenty of enthusiasm, they investigated the process of longshore drift. This involved measuring the build-up of sand on both sides of a groyne and observing the direction and strength of the prevailing wind. Students tracked the movement of oranges in the sea to estimate wave strength and drift direction; a method that proved entertaining and revealing, especially during the second visit when many oranges were swept away by powerful waves!

In the afternoon, students shifted focus to human geography, exploring three different urban sites to evaluate environmental quality. After conducting another risk assessment (this time focused on road safety and urban hazards), they completed surveys rating litter levels, green space, and overall area appearance. They also created their own qualitative data by choosing three descriptive words for each site, helping to capture the ‘feel’ of each location in a more personal way. To further deepen their analysis, students carried out traffic counts to see whether car volume correlated with noise, air pollution, and environmental quality.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to the Naze Tower and Crag Walk - a stretch of coastline protected by rock armour to combat erosion. This helped students contextualise their coastal case study, offering a clear example of human intervention in response to natural processes.

The day was packed with valuable insights, lots of learning, and plenty of wind! Our students represented the academy brilliantly and returned with a deeper understanding of both physical and human geography in action.