Farlington Fieldwork

16 Nov 2012

It’s a perfect combination – beautiful grounds, amazing Sussex landscapes and an exciting, dynamic geography department led by the intrepid globetrotter, Mr Dwyer,
Whatever the age group Farlington girls are always out and about!
Many of us still have vivid memories of geography trips at school and here at Farlington, whilst modern technology and virtual experiences courtesy of the internet, Google maps and Google Earth are valued nothing truly beats the experience of being outdoors, rain or shine, surrounded by real geography.
A Level Geography is especially popular and studying the stunning Sussex coast is a central part of the course. With some of the UK’s fastest moving shingle beaches the management challenges are clear to see. East Head near Chichester Harbour is a favourite destination for the study of coastal processes and here the GCSE girls study first hand the potential conflicts of ecosystems under threat alongside the economic benefits that tourism can bring.
The beach is not the only attraction though. Geology comes to life when we visit the beautiful chalk escarpments of the South Downs National Park and we see first hand how physical geography underlies everything about our modern lives.
Geography trips further afield have taken Farlington girls to Suffolk, Devon and North Wales but geography is on our doorstep too in the school grounds. Weather Day is eagerly anticipated by Year 8. In one day the girls make their own weather recording instruments, become meteorologists recording weather data and produce their own forecasts and then turn into TV presenters when they film and present their forecast. The beautiful local villages of Warnham and Slinfold are an easy walk away for our year 7and Horsham as a typical local market town is perfect for urban studies. The bright lights of London are easily accessible too for Study days at the Geographical Association and their brilliant lecture programme.
The Outdoor Classroom is a recent addition to the grounds here at Farlington. Kindly sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association this means that Farlington Geography goes ahead whatever the weather!
Sarah Riley
Geography Department