Ecology field trip to FSC in Slapton Ley, Devon (From Watford Observer)

Ecology field trip to FSC in Slapton Ley, Devon

9:48am Thursday 3rd December 2009 in Rickmansworth News

Words by Naomi Adams, Year 13

As part of the A2 Biology course, a group of 45 Year 13 students spent five days on an Ecology field course at the FSC in Slapton Ley, Devon.

The trip commenced with a four hour coach journey, including a single stop at the most isolated and smallest café on the M5, (where perhaps the most careless member of the group, Vicki Roberts, managed to leave her rucksack) and a showing of the legendary film, The Anchorman.

An hour later than scheduled, a group of restless teenagers arrived in Slapton and were immediately thrown into their first Ecology lesson. There they were educated on Green Living, introduced to the joys of the outdoor compost toilet, and were able to hire their waterproof trousers and wellies for the week’s expeditions.

After such an introduction, the 8am start the next morning was greeted with apprehension from the group, who met, kitted in waterproofs, carrying bags brimming with soggy sandwiches. The week’s activities consisted of: counting vegetation on the beach, sorting through leaves and identifying insects in the woodland, and finding Hoglouse and shrimp in Slapton’s Ley.

The group was given guidance on picking a title for their independent investigation, and was instructed that by 8am the next morning their extensive plans must be written up. Then came the impossible decision: stay and begin the lengthy ‘method’ section of the coursework, or watch England vs. Belarus? Many chose to watch the match, consequently staying up well into the night in preparation for the following day’s events.

On the last day of the field trip, the students spent the day in the field carrying out complex investigations, from counting clovers to identifying leeches. Year 13 student, Korrie Thewlis, said of the experience: “When I closed my eyes, I could just see leeches.”

However, the trip had great educational value and many felt more positive. Dan Fitzpatrick, a fellow A2 student said: “I found the help i was given with my investigation enabled me to produce a piece of coursework that I can be truly proud of.”