Geography
Aims
The overall aims of the Geography department are:
- to stimulate an enjoyment of Geography and the world around us
- to develop skills of enquiry, fieldwork and ICT
- to develop an awareness and sensitivity to differences in values and attitudes and how these shape decisions and changes in different environments.
Key Stage 3
Pupils study a range of physical and human geography topics in Years 7 to 9 and in each year field work is part of the programme of study; destinations range from the school grounds to the Holderness Coast and Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales. Topics studied include map skills, rivers and flooding, settlements, global warming, volcanoes, tourism and energy to name a few. All topics are reviewed each year and case studies used are brought up to date to illustrate how relevant Geography is in the present world around us.
GCSE
Pupils taking Geography at GCSE must have an enquiring mind, be willing to keep up with world affairs and enjoy doing research in the field as well as the classroom. Unit 1 is taken at the end of Year 10; this enables pupils to undertake 37.5% of their GCSE which reduces pressure in Year 11. Topics covered are volcanoes, rivers and coasts. In Year 11, Unit 2 is taken and this covers contemporary studies in population, tourism and urban environments and is worth 37.5%. Pupils undertake a weekend residential course at Whitby in preparation for their coursework which is 25% of their final mark.
AS and A Level
Geography at A level prepares pupils for the world of work where geographers with their skills of analysis and synthesis are highly employable. It also complements a variety of subjects in the Arts and Sciences. We follow the AQA course covering topics from plate tectonics, world cities to rivers and flood management. In Year 12 field work takes place in the Lake District and in Year 13 we travel to Wales to study. The enjoyment, knowledge and skills gained from this course is evident in the desire to continue the subject at university; last year 45% of the Year13 Geographers chose to study Geography at university.
Facilities
The three Geography classrooms are fully equipped with interactive whiteboards and computers, providing an ideal learning environment.
Extra-curricular
All Geography staff are involved in field trips. In addition a Geographical Society meets every week to discuss topical issues; topics have varied from migration, nuclear power to the destruction of the rain forest.
Staffing
- Mrs R H Brennan BA, Durham, PGCE (Head of Department)
- Mr C M Wainman BA, Leeds, PGCE, MA Warwick
- Mrs M Hugill BSc UMIST, PGCE
