On Monday 30 September, the Geography Department took 16 Year 13 Geography students to Box Hill in Dorking for a week long residential as part of the course requirement for their Independent Investigation (NEA).

We stayed at Juniper Hall FSC, a beautiful Grade 1 listed house that was used by the Canadian military during World War II and was sold to the National Trust in 1945 as part of the Box Hill Estate.  The students had five full days of fieldwork and time to start writing up their Independent Investigations in the classroom.

On Monday afternoon students began their field trip with a challenging walk up to the top of the fairly steep Box Hill; firstly, to complete a field sketch and learn skills to maximise their aptitude in this technique and secondly to admire the beautiful views of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The second part of the programme involved looking at carbon sequestration in the woodlands, working in small groups to use simple techniques to measure and quantify this.  The students spent the evening completing calculations of carbon storage in different environments and began to explore geo-location of data.

On Tuesday, following a filling breakfast, the focus of the day was on the human geography topic of Shaping Places.  Firstly there was a detailed briefing in the classroom with a focus on sampling strategies, questionnaire methods and EQA (environmental quality surveys) methods.  We then made the short journey by bus to Leatherhead to look at existing and proposed regeneration plans.  This was also an opportunity to practice a range of primary data gathering techniques in situ.  There was particular focus on qualitative and quantitative methods including questionnaires and more contemporary methods such as urban drifting (taking a random route through an urban environment to discover what it is like and make observations).

The evening session focused on data presentation techniques and completing the statistical technique Chi Square.  Additionally, they considered their methodologies and the strengths and drawbacks of the techniques used before enjoying some free time to relax in the common room.

The focus shifted to physical geography theory on Wednesday morning, with a focus on the water cycle at Box Hill.  Using simple scientific techniques, the students were able to consider implications of human activity in the local area.  Students investigated different land cover types and considered the impact on the water cycle, both in terms of overland flow, infiltration and flood risk.  This required careful teamwork to make their investigation a success and consideration of sampling techniques.  The remaining lesson time focused on using ArcGIS workshop learning the technique of transferring primary data into a graphical representation on a map of the areas they had visited.  In addition, they got to grips with statistical techniques in testing the data they had gathered.  Finally, students then used the methods they had learned to select an area and plan for their own investigation, identify the primary data techniques they would use and create the materials to gather this.  In addition, they conducted background research using a range of secondary online sources.

Both the study centre and teaching staff were very impressed by the titles the students developed, all choosing a unique focus for their investigation; with students looking addressing the current and potential rebranding in Leatherhead and the complexities of carbon stores in the Box Hill.

For the whole day on Thursday students went out in their groups to collect data for their own individual investigation. The evening continued with analysis of the data and use of ArcGIS. The week culminated in an evening toasting marshmallows around the firepit.

The students really made the most of every opportunity given to them. They all made a very strong start to their NEA, which constitutes 20% of their A Level grade.  All of them have developed new skills which were firmly embedded in their learning.  The students worked incredibly hard.  Their tutor at the study centre highly commended their focus, creativity, tenacity and the achievements they had made during their stay.  Very welll done Year 13 Geographers for an excellent trip and outcome.