LESSONS came to life for students of geography at a West Dorset school who took part in a field trip.

The group of Year 12 pupils at the Woodroffe School visited Leeson House field studies centre near Swanage to explore for themselves the effects of erosion.

As part of the trip they also took advantage of a scenic picture opportunity at the Olympic Rings at Portland Heights.

Justin Loveland, head of humanities at the school, said the group had a 'very busy three days’.

He said: “On the Friday their focus was fieldwork techniques and data collection linked to the Crowded Coast topic.

“After measuring erosion on the sand dunes at Studland, they then focused on issues associated with coastal management looking at the impact of coastal defences and decision making about whether to ‘hold the line’, ‘do nothing’ or ‘manage retreat’.”

The group followed a full day in the field with classroom sessions plotting and analysing data and carrying out further research.

On Saturday they visited Boscombe to look at rebranding and how the area has developed over time.

The final day involved looking at the coastal landforms and processes along the Dorset coast with visits to Lulworth and Durdle, Weymouth, Portland, Chesil beach and West Bay.

Mr Loveland said: “The impact of the Olympics and the changing role of Portland Harbour from a naval base to a yachting and leisure hub was also considered as another example of rebranding.”

He added: “After three intensive days of geography, and surviving the naturists of Studland and the Vikings at Corfe Castle, the tanks on Lulworth ranges and the rabbits at Portland they were all pleased to return safely but tired on Sunday evening.”

And the geography students weren't the only group to take advantage of a field trip.

Students of A-Level French, history of art and art travelled to Paris to take part in an exchange trip.

The visit included teaching French children playground games and songs at a primary school, as well as an arty day in the French capital, taking in the Catacombs and the Musée d'Orsay.

The students spent their evenings and weekends with their exchange partners, who are all sixth form students at the Lycee Hector Berlioz in Vincennes, gaining an insight into the everyday life of a French teenager.

The Lyme Regis pupils will reciprocate their hospitality when the Vincennois students visit in September.