A test pit (1.5 x 1m in area) was excavated in January 2007 by Colchester Archaeological Trust in the southern end of the playground, in order to ascertain the depth below ground level of the archaeological deposits. The highest layer consisted of wood chippings and 150mm of modern overburden, above a modern geotextile membrane. The membrane was removed to expose a mixed mid-brown soil with patches of sand. This layer contained Roman brick fragments but did not appear to be ‘dark earth’. It is more likely to be top soil. It was decided to excavate the eastern side of the trench down to natural. The mid-brown soil continued until natural sand was encountered at approximately 500mm below ground level. There did not appear to be an intervening layer between the topsoil and the natural. Two ditch or pit-like features cut the natural at approximately 500mm below ground level. <1>