Sixth-formers headed for south London to investigate the pace of urban change as part of their Geography studies.
All Year 12 AS Geography students made the journey to Wandsworth for the human geography fieldtrip. They will be assessed on the fieldwork completed in their AS examinations next summer.
The day was spent answering the question To what extent has Northcote ward in Wandsworth undergone the process of gentrification?
A study published last year by the Runnymede Trust and the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS) showed that Wandsworth, Tower Hamlets and Newham experienced more gentrification than any other London boroughs from 2010–2016.
Head of Geography Emily Parry said the trip was both educationally successful and enjoyable: “We were very fortunate to have beautiful, sunny autumnal weather in which to conduct the fieldwork.”
Accompanied by Miss Parry and James Kane, Geography teacher and Assistant Head (Pupil Destinations), the group spent the day investigating the topic by looking at three sub-questions:
- Over the last 30 years, what trends have occurred in employment, house tenure and price?
- Are properties in the area well-kept and is the built environment attractive?
- Are there a large number of boutique and high-end shops and services?
They used the following methods: questionnaires; environmental quality surveys; residential decay surveys and land-use mapping.
The fieldwork was conducted along a residential transect*, Wakehurst Road, and a commercial transect, Northcote Road.
The same boys will go on a residential trip in February to complete their physical fieldwork.
* transect: a line or narrow area along or within which measurements are taken, and items counted, etc. in scientific studies