Infiltrating Surrey - Hurstpierpoint College

Infiltrating Surrey

Lower Sixth geographers carry out experiments on soil infiltration around River Tillingbourne

Last Friday, the Hurst Lower Sixth geographers headed north to the damp and windswept slopes of the River Tillingbourne in Surrey. Their task was to carry out a set of experiments on the rates of soil infiltration in various locations around the river basin and testing a number of hypotheses about the factors which influence these rates. 

This trip was intended as a trial run prior to next year’s official residential field work trip to West Somerset, on which their A-level coursework will be based. The students sharpened up their field work skills and became used to the techniques and processes required in order to score highly in this important element of the course – particularly important, as coursework will make up 20% of their final A-level mark. 

The trip passed off successfully with students taking measurements from four very different sites and it finished with a climb up Leith Hill Tower, which marks the highest point in southeast England. 

“The weather assisted in developing the resilience of all involved, a key attribute for Sixth Formers everywhere! “ Beccy Bownas, Head of Geography.