The Geography Department
The geography department tries to help students make sense of the world they live in, of what they hear and see, and of what they read about in the world in their everyday lives. To this end, the team of geography teachers work together to ensure that pupils undertake lively, relevant and wide-ranging learning experiences both in and out of the classroom.
developing skills to tackle what are often real world problems and issues
Working on their own, in pairs or in groups pupils use a wide range of resources and developing skills to tackle what are often real world problems and issues. Through a mix of local, national and global studies pupils are encouraged to have an informed and lively interest in contemporary issues and the geographical context in which they occur.
The department works closely with both the History and RE departments to share ideas, approaches and good practice.
The aims of the department are;
- To develop in pupils a knowledge and understanding of where they live, of other people and places and how they interrelate.
- To acquaint pupils with a sense of place and to help them understand spatial patterns at local, national and global scales.
- To develop within pupils an understanding of the relationships between people and the environment and the consequences of their actions.
- For pupils to appreciate the diversity of human society throughout the world.
- To provide a vehicle to help pupils develop both geographic and transferable key skills.
At Key Stage 3 pupils undertake study units to develop their skills of Geographical Enquiry and their knowledge and understanding of significant places, geographical patterns and processes and environmental change.
Work centres on pupils’ home area, the United Kingdom, the European Union and parts of the wider world in contrasting states of development
The course provides for a balance and variety in each year as pupils progress through the Key Stage. Work centres on pupils’ home area, the United Kingdom, the European Union and parts of the wider world in contrasting states of development. Some units of work are theme-focused whilst others are more place-specific. All are designed to allow pupils to develop their enquiry skills.
GCSE Geography allows pupils to address geographical themes and issues at local, regional, national and global scales
For those choosing to follow it, GCSE Geography allows pupils to address geographical themes and issues at local, regional, national and global scales. These are studied in the context of the specified areas of the UK, the European Union and the Wider World. Pupils undertake a practical field study and assessment of the course is by examination and coursework.
For those choosing to follow GCSE Leisure and Tourism, the course has three elements; Investigating Leisure and Tourism, Marketing and Customer Care. Assessment is by examination and portfolio evidence. The course provides the opportunity to apply knowledge of leisure and tourism industries in a vocationally relevant way.
GCSE revision, ‘drop-in’ sessions’ after school and Saturday Discovery Clubs
The department has two specialist rooms complete with interactive whiteboards and Video/DVD projection as well as some computer workstations along with access to an ICT suite.
The department offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities including GCSE revision, ‘drop-in’ sessions’ after school and Saturday Discovery Clubs giving pupils opportunities to discover more about their region.
In this subject, we consider the world outside the classroom as our ‘laboratory’ and seek opportunities for pupils in both key stages to work out of school in order to gain first-hand experience of ‘real-life’ geography.
