Year 10 Geography Fieldwork Success

Date:  4th and 5th June 2026

Where: Local area

On Thursday 4th and Friday 5th June, our Year 10 Geography students took part in two local studies to gain skills in fieldwork as part of their GCSE in the subject. In the morning, students visited the Westcliff in Ramsgate to collect data that will be used to assess the evidence of Longshore Drift on our local coastline. The students used ranging poles to record beach profiles, timers and corks to calculate wave velocity, and protractors to record wave angles. In our coming lessons, they will use their data to learn a range of presentation techniques from which they can make a judgement in relation to their study question. While at the Westcliff, students were also able to consider the effectiveness of sea defence strategies, such as wooden groynes, in protecting our coastline.

In the afternoon, we made our way over to Margate where students immersed themselves in both the Old town (recently regenerated) and the High Street (not yet regenerated). The students undertook more data collection techniques, such as questionnaires, pedestrian counts and environmental quality surveys, in order to assess the impacts of regeneration in Margate. In our coming lessons, we will use the collected data to draw conclusions from our findings.

On both days our students were exceptional. They battled challenging weather and really pushed themselves out of their comfort zones. It was wonderful to witness them using new techniques and claiming that they are now seeing their local area in a new light. One student commented “I feel really afraid of asking members of the public to answer my questionnaire, but I am so glad I get to push myself out of my comfort zone and learn new techniques”. Another commented “I didn’t really know what I wanted to be when I leave school but I love learning about the coast and I think I will look into becoming a marine biologist”. Well done to all our Year 10s on a successful day.