Investigating Inequality in Birmingham: Year 10 Geography Fieldwork

The day’s investigation focused on comparing two contrasting areas of the city, each offering a unique insight into variations in quality of life across the region.

In the morning, students visited their first location to collect primary data through a series of surveys. These included assessments of environmental quality, levels of building decay, and incidents of vandalism. Later, the same surveys were carried out in their second location, enabling students to draw meaningful comparisons between the two neighbourhoods. Once their data collection was complete, the girls enjoyed some well-deserved free time to relax, grabbing a hot drink, enjoying a snack, or even testing out the local playground!

The afternoon was spent back at school, where the focus turned to analysing secondary data. Students examined official police statistics, crime rate maps, and other sources to complement their field observations. By combining both primary and secondary data, they were able to form a more comprehensive understanding of the social, economic, and environmental inequalities present across Birmingham.

The trip provided an invaluable opportunity for students to apply their classroom learning to a real-world context. Their findings and the methods used to obtain them, will form an important part of their GCSE Geography assessments next summer.

Overall, it was a highly successful and enjoyable day that not only strengthened students’ fieldwork skills but also deepened their appreciation of the complex geography that shapes life in Birmingham.