Stretford Grammar School’s Year 11 Geography students recently undertook an essential fieldwork trip to Salford Quays/Castlefield in Manchester on Wednesday, 5th November 2025. This crucial day out is an integral part of their AQA GCSE Geography course, providing vital hands-on experience for their final examination. The skills developed during this trip are fundamental, directly supporting the students’ preparation for Paper 3: Geographical Applications, which accounts for a substantial 30% of their final GCSE mark. This paper assesses their ability to apply geographical skills, including the analysis and evaluation of fieldwork methodologies, as well as a pre-released geographical issue.

MediaCityUK and Urban Greening: Data Collection Focus

The trip was focused on two key areas that offer a rich context for the urban geography unit. Students spent approximately three hours collecting data focused on the regeneration of MediaCityUK. The area was strategically chosen due to its dramatic transformation from the derelict Manchester Docks into a vibrant commercial, residential, and cultural district. Students were able to investigate the success of this regeneration. They collected data using methods such as Environmental Quality Surveys and land-use mapping to compare the revitalised area with older, surrounding zones. This practical exercise provides invaluable evidence of deindustrialisation and its subsequent urban renewal, which is a core theme of the GCSE specification.

In addition to the regeneration study, the students visited the National Trust Castlefield Viaduct. This former railway viaduct has been repurposed as an accessible high-level park, offering a unique example of urban greening. Urban greening involves incorporating vegetation and green spaces into the built environment. This visit allowed students to see firsthand how cities are attempting to become more sustainable and improve the quality of life for residents, which is a key part of the urban geography unit they study.

Mr Whiting, Curriculum Leader of Geography, praised the students' engagement and attitude throughout the day.

“The students were fantastic. Fieldwork is where geography truly comes alive, and seeing them apply their classroom theory—identifying land uses, running environmental quality surveys, and questioning the success of regeneration schemes—is incredibly rewarding. The visit to the Castlefield Viaduct was also a superb way to see urban greening in action, connecting their classroom learning directly to a real-world project. This practical experience is an essential foundation for success in their Paper 3 examination next summer.”

The school looks forward to the students processing their collected data and writing up their geographical enquiry, cementing the skills they’ve gained from this invaluable educational experience.