Fifteen Lower Sixth Geographers descended on the Cranedale Field Study centre in East Yorkshire this October and spent a Friday, Saturday and Sunday experiencing Physical Geography first hand. The centre occupies a collection of converted farm buildings and offers the comforts of wonderful wholesome food, a hot chocolate machine, a roaring log fire and cosy bedrooms!

The girls worked incredibly hard in the field and were totally inspired by the dramatic chalk cliffs and features of erosion at Flamborough Head in comparison to the devastating loss of the soft Boulder Clay cliffs along the Holderness Coast. It was with huge sympathy they observed areas where buildings sitting precariously on the edge of the cliffs have had to be demolished for safety reasons. Their understanding of the way this coast has to be so carefully managed was made all the clearer by seeing the work of the groynes and sea walls first hand and assessing their effectiveness.

The sand dune study at Bridlington was particularly demanding as working in groups the characteristics of the changing dunes was measured using various pieces of equipment which required careful balance on steep slopes. Exposed to the winds off the North Sea the environment is very exposed but this year we were blessed with beautiful sunshine and the study was highly successful. It was a little colder and more of a challenge carrying out a river study in Dalby forest. Knee deep in water the girls remained remarkably cheerful as they learnt how the characteristics of a River change from the Upper Course to the Middle Course. Again specialist equipment was used and all the girls absorbed the instructions and executed the exercises with expertise.

Evenings were spent working in the classroom until 9:00 pm but the atmosphere was positive and the students produced some excellent cross sectional profiles, graphs, and field sketches. Their understanding of a physical environment has enriched their understanding of Geography and is a crucial element of their A Level Course now complete.