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Upper School Geographers Visit Yorkshire

28th September 2023

Geography pupils from Oakham School visited Yorkshire to examine real-life examples of some of the topics covered in their A-level syllabus.

The trip took in the Holderness Coast, known for being one of Europe’s fastest eroding coastlines at an average annual rate of around 2 metres per annum – equivalent to two million tonnes of material every year.

This visit included the exposed chalk cliffs of Selwicks Bay near Flamborough Head. Its stunning caves, arches and stacks are considered ‘textbook’ examples of coastal erosion.

The pupils then stayed overnight in York. There, they studied the city’s flood alleviation works. Situated on low-lying land at the confluence of two rivers, York has long been prone to severe flooding, suffering a serious flooding event as recently as 2015.

Pupils visited the Foss Barrier and pumping station, which is situated at the confluence of the River Ouse and the River Foss. The barrier reduces flood risk to properties along the Foss by preventing the Ouse, a much larger river, ‘backing up’.

Speaking about the trip, Teacher of Geography Caroline Simpson said: “Seeing the coastal management schemes on the Holderness coast makes it so much easier for students to evaluate the scheme’s economic, social and environmental impacts to the area.

“This is vital for our students to be able to write fully informed essays on sustainable coastal management.

“The benefit of fieldwork to Geography students should never be underestimated. Being immersed in the landscape helps to understand processes and landforms much more clearly.”

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