Year 11 Geography students from Wilnecote School successfully completed their mandatory GCSE fieldwork over two focused, consecutive days this week. The cohort was split into two groups—the first attending on Monday, 1st December 2025, and the second following on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025—to undertake identical, hands-on research across two vital geographical environments.

This essential practical experience provides the students with the core skills and empirical data necessary for their final GCSE assessments.

Cannock Chase: Investigating the Human Footprint

The Physical Geography component of the fieldwork took place at Birches Valley in Cannock Chase. The objective was to examine the subtle yet crucial impacts of human leisure activities on a natural ecosystem.

Students focused their intensive research on:

• Measuring Erosion: Carefully assessing the rate of soil erosion along well-used recreational trails.
• Vegetation Surveys: Documenting the resulting changes to local vegetation composition and health.

By comparing data, the pupils were able to gather real-world evidence of the complex, direct relationship between public access, outdoor pursuits, and environmental stability within the forest.

Stafford Town Centre: Analysing Urban Dynamics

The focus then shifted for the Human Geography element, where students moved to the bustling urban landscape of Stafford Town Centre. Here, the task was to perform an assessment of the success and impact of recent retail developments.

The students carried out structured surveys designed to capture the economic pulse of the area:

• Footfall Counts: Conducting timed counts to quantify the level of pedestrian traffic in specific areas.
• Environmental Quality Surveys: Using standardised criteria to compare the appeal and maintenance of the modern retail zones against the traditional high street.

Comment from the Head of Department

The success of the demanding two-day trip was highlighted by the school’s Head of Geography, Miss Molineux.

“Our Year 11 students executed this demanding fieldwork with exceptional focus and professionalism. The data they gathered—from quantifying soil erosion in Birches Valley to analysing footfall on Stafford’s high street—provides the invaluable, real-world evidence required for their GCSE component. This experience moves geography beyond the classroom, giving them a genuine appreciation for the complex interplay between physical and human environments.”

This dual-location study has equipped the Year 11s with practical data analysis and critical observational skills. The school has praised the students’ focused and professional approach throughout the demanding itinerary, ensuring they obtained all the necessary evidence for their final grades.