Third Form Geography Fieldwork in Shoreham

The sun shone for this year’s Geography field trip to Shoreham. The Third Form was investigating the extent to which the local area was shaped by natural or man-made forces. After an initial briefing and collection of packed lunches, the groups headed out.

First stop was the banks of the river Adur, just outside the College grounds. Here the students could appreciate the farming landscape, and the work that humans have done in building up the embankments to prevent the farmland from flooding at every high tide. What looks natural at first glance is actually the product of centuries of careful landscape management. On the footbridge over the Adur a game of Pooh sticks determined the direction and speed of river flow, allowing the students to understand the role of river flow and tidal influence.

Continuing the exploration into Shoreham the students saw a much more man-made environment of urban development and transport infrastructure. A walk down by the boat houses did reveal how some residents remain connected to the natural landscape. By the time the students reached the beach at Shoreham they were ready for their lunch. Here, they also learnt about the role of waves in shaping the landscape.

The walk back to College along the western bank of the Adur provided a chance to stop at some of the abandoned buildings used to protect the river and this part of the world from attack. The large flood defence scheme put in place for the recently built housing development was also a chance to see world class engineering.

Having collected data on soundscapes, environmental quality, field sketches and having been to a variety of local places, the students were then able to answer their key question about the extent to which the local environment has been shaped by natural or human forces.

“One of the best days at Lancing so far.” Ryley G

“I have lived here for 10 years and I learnt stuff I never knew!” Amber MC.