Year 12 Biology Students Enjoy Inspiring Field Trip to Nettlecombe Court

Last week, our Year 12 Biology students embarked on an exciting three-day residential field trip to Nettlecombe Court, a Field Studies Centre located on the Somerset Exmoor border. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity for students to develop their practical skills, deepen their ecological understanding, and complete essential components of their A Level Biology course.

Throughout the trip, students took part in a range of fieldwork investigations and classroom-based theory sessions, including two of the required practical investigations that contribute to the Practical Endorsement in A Level Biology. They learnt how to measure vertical height along the shore and compared species diversity across the lower, middle, and upper shore zones, gaining first-hand experience of ecological sampling techniques.

The group also explored grassland ecosystems and carried out freshwater invertebrate studies, developing their understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem health. In addition, students learnt how to analyse their findings using a range of statistical tests, an important skill for biological research.

One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity to participate in an overnight small mammal survey. Students helped set humane live traps as part of a population monitoring study and were delighted by the success of the survey, which recorded both wood mice and shrews.

The residential concluded with each student completing an individual ecological investigation, allowing them to apply the knowledge and practical skills they had developed throughout the visit.

With fantastic weather throughout the three days, there was also plenty of time to relax and socialise. Evenings were spent enjoying games of rounders and badminton with students from other schools, making the trip both educational and memorable.

The field trip was a tremendous success, providing students with valuable practical experience while creating lasting memories and strengthening their enthusiasm for studying Biology.