This week our Year 4s enjoyed an exciting and hands-on Geography field trip to Springhead in the nearby beautiful village of Fontmell Magna, where our river topic came to life through real fieldwork, exploration and plenty of muddy adventures.
The day began with lots of curiosity as pupils explored the spring itself. One of the most memorable moments was when children bravely knelt down to taste the fresh spring water – much to everyone’s surprise (and laughter!) It was a brilliant way to connect directly with the source of a river and think about where rivers begin.
Investigating the River
The site is fed by spring water that forms Collyer’s Brook, which flows from beneath the Mill House and continues into the River Stour. Children worked scientifically to test river flow at two different points along the river. They made careful observations and discovered something important: the water was faster downstream! This led to thoughtful discussions about how rivers change along their course.
We also explored both physical and human features in the landscape. Children observed how the environment is shaped naturally, but also how people use and care for the land around them.
Wildlife and Water Life
There was plenty of excitement during river dipping and sweeping. The year 4s found a range of freshwater invertebrates, including caddis fly larvae and freshwater shrimp – key indicators of clean, unpolluted water. These discoveries helped us understand how scientists use living creatures to test water quality.
On land and in the water, we spotted a variety of wildlife, including coots with their fluffy cootlings, playful lambs in nearby fields, beetles and even frogs hiding among the vegetation. Food chains came to life right in front of us as we considered who eats what in this thriving ecosystem.
Sustainability and Farming
We were fascinated by the nearby gardens and kitchen gardens, including impressive polytunnels where food is grown sustainably. Pupils also learned about how the site uses renewable energy, observing both a water turbine in the old mill and solar panels in action. It was a great opportunity to see how electricity can be generated in environmentally friendly ways.
Compass Skills and Landscape Sketching
The adventure continued with a climb up a windy hilltop, where pupils put their compass skills to the test. From the top, they sketched the river basin and surrounding landscape, taking in wide-reaching views – including distant wind turbines turning in the breeze.
A Splashing Finale
To finish the day, there was one final challenge: the great welly water test! The big question was simple – who had the most water in their boots? Laughter echoed across the field as everyone compared their soggy results.
It was a fantastic day of learning outside the classroom, full of discovery, teamwork and memorable experiences that brought our river topic to life in every way.
