South Coast Geography Trip

In order to better understand some key features of the GCSE Physical Geography course, Year 11 geography students headed off to the South Coast. It was amazing to get so close to The White Horse which is etched into the chalk of the South Downs above the picturesque village of Alfriston, which has actually featured in recent GCSE exam papers. Then, it was on to Cuckmere to sketch the impressive meanders of the River Cuckmere before it flows out to the sea. 

Shifting the focus of study to aspects of coastal management, the students then visited Birling Gap and were shocked to learn that the four remaining cottages that are right on the edge of the cliff used to be in a row of eight! Four of the cottages have already dropped into the sea as a result of erosion of the cliffs. Dropping down on to the beach below Seaford Head and with the iconic Seven Sisters in the background, students were able to see how the construction of a sea wall is protecting the much painted Coastguard Cottages, and also how groynes on the beach help to limit the amount of coastal drift. 

It was a fantastic day. Not only was the weather superb, but the trip really helped the students to understand these key geographical processes.