Geography
Aims and Philosophy
- To gain an understanding of place through learning about the UK
and other countries.
- To encourage the development of geographical skills.
- To appreciate that the quality of life varies at the local,
national and international scales and to understand the
implications of this variation.
- To help pupils gain confidence in researching topics and issues
independently and communicating ideas to others.
- To stimulate pupils' interest in both the human and physical
environment and to foster an understanding of their role and
responsibilities within that environment.
Course content
Years 7, 8 and 9 (Key Stage 3 - through out the
first three years the schemes of work are based on the key themes
of the National Curriculum. Additional material is introduced to
make use of staff expertise and local fieldwork opportunities.
Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) - those students
that have opted to carry on with Geography are currently studying
the AQA A (4030) Specification which was introduced in September
2009. Units taught include, 'Rocks, Resources and Scenery',
'Glaciation' and 'Population'. There is one piece of coursework
required which comes under the heading of 'Controlled Assessment'
and which will be based on teacher lead fieldwork. We are
hoping to introduce a residential fieldwork trip to Snowdonia in
the summer term of Year 10.
In the Sixth Form the Department is currently
delivering OCR's AS (H083) and A2 (H483) Specification. At AS the
students study two 'Units', 'Managing Physical Environments' (F761)
and 'Managing Change in Human Environments' (F762). At A level two
further units are studied 'Global Issues' (F763' and 'Geographical
Skills' (F764). In addition the department has started to deliver
its aspect of the International Baccalaureate (IB) with its 'Core'
and 'Option' themes. It is hoped to continue running a residential
course in Dorset as part of the coastal studies. An additional
charge is levied for this to cover the cost of accommodation and as
a contribution to the cost of transport.
Resources
Geography is a resource-based subject and the department's stock
is both varied and expanding. Pupils are encouraged to use a
variety of resources especially as part of independent enquiry
work. Where the opportunity arises, the department is keen to
encourage the use of ICT in its teaching.