Year 10 Science Fieldwork: Exploring Biodiversity in Beddington Park
On Wednesday, 28th January, the third of our whole-school Days of Recollection, all Year 10 students embarked on a day of science fieldwork at Beddington Park, Wallington. This experience offered pupils the chance to step out of the classroom and immerse themselves in practical scientific investigations, reinforcing curriculum topics such as biodiversity, sampling techniques, and data analysis.
Led by Mr Wilson, Head of Science, and supported by the science department teachers, Year 10 travelled to the park by tram. Throughout the day, pupils conducted a series of hands-on experiments, recording observations and results for further analysis back at school.
The first experiment, Kick Sampling, involved pupils donning wellington boots and wading into the stream. Each pupil held a fine-mesh net facing downstream, then used one foot to gently kick the streambed, stirring up sediment and dislodging aquatic creatures. These organisms were swept into the net, carefully identified and counted, before being safely returned to their habitat. Pupils noted the types and numbers of insects and other small animals found in different parts of the stream, learning how to collect and interpret ecological data.
The second experiment focused on Quadrat Sampling, a key method for measuring plant diversity. Pupils placed a 50cm x 50cm quadrat randomly in various locations around the park. 
For each placement, they counted all plant species within the frame, including common weeds such as dandelions and daisies, and recorded their findings on a data sheet. This process was repeated in multiple areas to ensure representative sampling. Using their collected data, pupils later calculated the mean number of plants per quadrat and compared results between different habitats. This activity helped them understand sampling techniques, the importance of random placement in scientific investigations, and how to analyse biodiversity using statistical methods.
The fieldwork directly supported science curriculum goals by developing pupils' skills in observation, data recording, and critical analysis. Pupils gained firsthand experience of how scientists study ecosystems and monitor environmental health. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with one Year 10 pupil commenting, “It was brilliant to get outside and do real science—seeing how many plants and creatures live in the park made everything we’ve learned in lessons feel much more real.”
Students agreed that practical experiments were far more engaging and informative than textbook learning, and the day introduced them to the important work of scientists and environmental professionals.
