GCSE Geography Liverpool field trip

7 March 2023

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Report by Mr Watters. Lead Teacher of Geography

Before the start of the February half term break, the Geography department took their Year 10 classes to Liverpool for a compulsory field trip as part of their GCSE studies.

An hour long mini-bus journey got us to our first site to survey. The area of Rimrose Valley Park is a little gem on the banks of the River Mersey, an open park quite similar to our own Hurst Grange Park with extra open spaces.

The pupils took photographs of this and four other sites which they have since downloaded and added annotations to display their information on the 'Quality of the Environments' as well as 'Land Use' surveys.

The trip then took pupils to four other sites approximately equidistant, generally following a transect from outer fringes of Liverpool along the River Mersey' s banks. The pupils were a little unsure of two of the dockland sites however fully understood why they visited and surveyed them as they were in perfect contrast to the Water Front development at the Albert Dock and the Liverpool One retail and residential centre.

Whilst in the China Town district, pupils investigated the positive impact of inward migration. They walked down from the Anglican Cathedral to Liverpool One and were able to see how Liverpool continues to develop as a City. "I wish we had one of these in Preston", was a common remark spoken by the Year 10s.

Their visit to Liverpool was finished off by an hour-long trip on the Mersey ferry. Pupils were able to get further views of the amazing new Everton football stadium at Bramley Dock.

They had seen it from a quick stop on the minibus however to see it in such splendour revitalising a previously run-down brownfield site was fantastic. Some of the pupils felt it was necessary to note that PNE will be playing there next season!

The Fab Four statue outside the Liver buildings and the National and Liverpool Museums made perfect photo opportunities before the return journey home. But before then, there was time in Liverpool One to grab a meal.

The early completion of surveys meant we had enough time to drive through North Liverpool and look at regions of the city which were recently selling houses for just a pound to help local families regenerate their run-down areas, such as Anfield.

This was another pair of great trips which are part of the Geography fieldwork requirement for the GCSE. We are very proud of the work completed by the pupils whilst on the trip and also what they have done in the classroom since their return. Their attention to detail and understanding of sampling techniques, methods and hypothesis testing ensures that they have a great pack of resources in readiness for their final GCSE exams next summer. Once again, our pupils were a credit to the school and were complimented by several pensioner groups and the ferry staff as kind and respectful young people. One said "I wish we had them in Liverpool!"