By Carmen H, Year 11

On the 23rd of September, Year 11 Geographers set off to Margam in South Wales for a few days to learn more about coastal formations, river studies and to admire the beautiful Welsh scenery. On Friday, we visited Crymlyn Burrows where our guides told us lots of interesting facts about sand dunes and gave us the chance to measure the dunes and identify different coastal species that were growing. The highlight of the day was definitely building our own sand dunes in the sand, decorating them with shells and having a lighthearted competition.

After enjoying a great meal and visiting the alpacas that lived a few hundred metres from our rooms, we reunited in a relaxing evening class where we consolidated our data and planned the following day.

Saturday, we explored the River Ogmore, investigating five different points along it, starting at the source and ending at the mouth. We conducted a number of experiments, but it’s fair to say our ‘duck race’ to investigate the speed of the river was the most exciting. Each group drew their chosen staff member onto the yellow rubber duck and then let them go as they raced down the stream, everybody was cheering them on. The winner was Mr Shoults and the losing duck which was Mr Livings. After a long day of faulty wellies, herds of sheep and geography tiktoks, we pulled up to our final point at the mouth of the river and we tried to skim stones as many times as we could.

Our final day was spent in Margam Country park, 100m up a mountain looking down at a stunning view of the countryside and even being able to see Somerset and Swansea far out on the horizon. The trip was so much fun and it was very exciting seeing our classroom discussions come to life, we’ve even taken away a new Geography group chat.