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Year 10 Geographers Explore Bristol’s Regeneration Success

Year 10 Geography students recently visited Bristol as part of their GCSE fieldwork, travelling to the city’s harbour to investigate the ongoing regeneration of the Harbourside area.

Students were challenged to answer the enquiry question: “Is the Bristol Harbour regeneration project environmentally successful?” Working across five key sites around the waterfront, which they had studied in class beforehand, they gathered data, conducted surveys, and made field sketches to explore how regeneration has transformed the city.

The trip included a boat tour of Bristol Harbour, hosted by a local guide who delivered a talk tailored specifically to the AQA Geography specification, helping students link their fieldwork directly to their upcoming exam. They also visited the M Shed Museum, where they explored the city’s history and gained valuable insight into the social and economic background that shaped Bristol’s regeneration.

Back in the classroom, students are now analysing their findings and reflecting on their conclusions. “We’ve seen first-hand how regeneration can change a city,” said one student. “There’s significantly less dereliction, more green space and more outside entertainment. It feels like a modern and welcoming place.”

Blessed with good weather throughout the day, students displayed excellent behaviour and represented the school with maturity and enthusiasm. The Geography department praised the group for showing Responsibility through their independent fieldwork and Ambition in applying their classroom knowledge to real-world geography. Staff described the students as “a credit to the school.”