We’ve been learning all about coastal erosion this term, and today we focused on how it directly affects people and communities.

We began our lesson in the classroom by watching a powerful video about Happisburgh, a village in Norfolk, that’s been severely affected by coastal erosion. It was shocking to see how people’s lives have been turned upside down – homes lost to the sea, communities broken apart, and the constant fear of what might come next. It really helped us understand the emotional and practical impact that erosion can have.

With our sun hats on and water bottles in hand, we headed outside to enjoy the weather and put our thinking caps on. Our task: use our knowledge to debate whether or not we should protect coastal areas like Happisburgh.

We worked on creating arguments for and against protecting the coastline. On one hand, we knew that building coastal defences is very expensive. Some options can harm the environment, cause pollution, and only offer temporary relief. Whereas, on the other hand, protecting the coast can save homes, preserve important historical landmarks, and protect wildlife and their habitats.

Some of us were so passionate about the topic that we even wrote full speeches, trying to convince others of our viewpoint! It was brilliant to see everyone so engaged, thinking deeply and speaking confidently.

A big thank you to Kelly for all her help during the lesson!

Geography in the sun, and real-world learning – what more could we ask for?

Laura