Subjects > Geography

Geography

Members of the Department

Mrs M Rodgers (Head of Department)

Miss JM Brogan

Mrs S Dickson

Miss J Fell

Overview of the department

Geography is an exciting and interesting subject which aims to teach students about the world around them and enable them to make sense of an ever-changing world. At Key Stage 3 a wide range of topics are taught to meet the requirements of the revised curriculum and to teach students about the part they have to play in their local and global world. Topics include Me and My World, Map Skills, Settlement, Population, Ecosystems, Development, Global Warming and Global Fashion. Students have the opportunity to participate in field work in each year group which enriches their understanding of their world and develops key Geography skills, co-operation and team-work.

At GCSE we follow the new CEA course, which is a relevant and up to date course based on all the main themes of geography. It builds on skills, knowledge and understanding from Key Stage 3 and allows for further fieldwork opportunities. At GCSE level pupils develop a wide-range of skills. Throughout the course we focus in on different places and people allowing for greater deep of awareness, interest and empathy. Topics include: The Dynamic Landscape, Our Changing Weather and Climate, The Restless Earth, People and where they live, Contrasts in World Development and Managing Our Resources. There are two examination papers at the end of year 12 and a 25% fieldwork report, which is a controlled assessment following fieldwork.

At A-Level we follow the CEA GCE course. The students sit two modules at AS level; the Human Geography module is sat in January and includes the topics of Population, Settlement & Development as well as developing their geographical skills and techniques. In June they sit their Physical Geography module which covers the topics of Rivers, Ecosystems & Atmosphere. They also complete a fieldwork study at White Park Bay to assist in the development of their fieldwork skills.

At A2 students study the Impact of Population Change, Issues in Ethnic Diversity and Ecotourism as part of their Human module. In their Physical module they study the Dynamic Earth, Tropical Ecosystems and develop their decision making skills.

Courses taught in the department - syllabus

GCSE – AS/A2 – CEA

Extra-curricular activities of the department

In the Geo-Club students learn more about the wonderful world of Geography! Students have the opportunity to play games, do quizzes, create collages, make volcanoes and also go on trips, for the past two years the Geo-Club has been taking Yr12 GCSE students to Carlingford for orienteering and outdoor pursuits activity aimed at helping mapskills.
The Environment Action Group is an enthusiastic group of students who are keen to take action to help us all take better care of the environment. The group meets weekly to discuss and plan various different actions, e.g. organising the ‘Cash for Clobber’ clothing and textiles recycling scheme and an event to mark World Environment Day.