Shrewsbury
Biology in Action: Field Course 2025
Biology in Action: Field Course 2025
Getting out of the classroom and into the field is a fundamental part of becoming an accomplished biologist. On Friday 12th September, our Sixth Form students set off on the annual Biology Field Course, a four-day immersive experience making the most of the diverse ecosystems we are fortunate to have on our doorstep.
The trip included visits to salt marshes, coastal sand dunes, a nature reserve, and a peat bog, with students developing practical sampling techniques, designing investigations, and presenting their findings. A highlight was the opportunity to hear from Stephen Lewis, Founding Warden of Prees Heath Common from Butterfly Conservation, the organisation who led the familiarisation visit to the site prior to the Field course on the 4th of September.
Biology Teacher Mrs Matthews said: “Observing ecosystems first-hand is a fundamental part of becoming an accomplished biologist. Students not only gained vital skills in fieldwork but also learned how to select and apply the correct statistical tools to test the significance of their investigations.”
Upper Sixth pupil and Head of School, Meg H (UVI, M) reflected: “The Biology Field course entailed a four-day immersive experience exploring a range of ecosystems including salt marshes, coastal sand dunes, a nature reserve, and a peat bog. It was a hands-on experience with a big focus being the development of sampling techniques. We carried out core practicals, designed and carried out investigations in small groups, then presented our findings. We finished the trip not only well acquainted with quadrats but with a better understanding of the ecosystem dynamics that make up Britain’s wildlife.”
George R (SH, UVI), also Head of School, shared his perspective: “Over the course of four days, we explored many different areas of fieldwork designed to encompass and go beyond the syllabus. Through practical sampling experiments such as ‘kick sampling’ in a riverbed, we were able to understand these key components visually and through action as opposed to book memorisation, which I found very useful. My favourite part of the trip was seeing and studying the peat bogs at Whixall Moss, an extremely rare ecosystem! I’d like to thank the teachers for giving up their time to enrich our curriculum and putting so much effort into organising the action-packed days.”
The course gave students both technical expertise and a lasting appreciation for the richness of Britain’s natural environments.
