We had a fantastic time this weekend at YHA South Downs completing core practical work with the Year 12 Biologists. It is no exaggeration to say the students behaved perfectly – even when I forced them to wear less than fashionable waterproof trousers. The students were so efficient at organising themselves that they were able to carry out some extra practical work on day three, and the catering staff commented that ours were the best group they’d ever hosted.

Students found their ‘mud legs’ quickly on the first day, carrying out sampling techniques in dense woodland with gusto. Follow up statistics lessons ran til 8pm each day, and a full day was also spent at Seven Sisters cliffs analysing species distributions in rockpools on the shoreline, which they all loved. We were very lucky with the weather too.

Needless to say they were all very tired when we returned, but got thoroughly stuck in and had a fantastic time in the process.

Huge thanks to Mrs Shepherd, Dr Roberts and the YHA/Field Studies Council staff, who made running the trip an absolute dream!

Miss Swyny