Current Teaching Staff:
Mrs N Gardner (Head of Department)
Mr A Magee, Mrs F Herbert, Miss G Baker
Curriculum Intent:
We want students to gain a sense of place – making sense of their surroundings, gaining a deeper appreciation of the physical and human inter-relationships that form our diverse planet. Most of all we want them to be global citizens and know the role they play in shaping the world around them.
Subject Overview
In Geography there is an emphasis on learning concepts and skills through a sense of place and raising environmental awareness so that students gain a greater understanding of the world they live in.
In Year 7, students study marine geography including a fieldtrip to the National Marine Aquarium to look at Coral Reef ecosystems. In Year 8 students have a decision-making fieldtrip to Slapton Sands based on Challenging Coastlines. Three are also opportunities to attend the 'Worldwise Quiz', competing against local schools and we also subscribe to national competitions through the Royal Geographical Society and Financial Times. Later there are opportunities to take part in trips abroad to places such as Sicily and Iceland.
Fieldwork is an integral to the GCSE course. Students are required to complete two day trips (currently Bristol and Dawlish Warren) as part of their GCSE and they are examined on these trips. We have a tradition of hand-on practical enrichment opportunities. We believe whole-heartedly that our students should experience different landscapes, people, places and issues to bring classroom teaching to life! We hold enrichment trips to Iceland and Sicily, with priority given to students studying geography GCSE. We also take part in a very successful local geographical association with other local schools, running lectures and quizzes. We regularly invite in specialist presenters from AQA and textbook authors to deliver exam technique sessions to our students.
SMSC
Geography contributes to our students’ SMSC, PSHE and Ethics development through:
- Developing understanding of how their own actions and behaviours impact on the natural environment and the lives of others around the globe.
- Allowing reflection on different perceptions, assumptions and prejudices surrounding global inequality.
- An awareness and understanding of how consumption and production of resources at local, national and global scales impacts people and the environment.
A deeper understanding of climate change; opposing viewpoints on causes and managements. Reflections on
- physical and human impacts of climate change and attitudes and viewpoints of people in managing it.
- Reflection and understanding of how different lived experiences result from the inter-relationships between physical, economic, political, social and cultural environments.
British Values
The 5 British values are embedded across our geography curriculum. Through varied teaching we:
- Develop a respect for Democracy through debate, decision making exercises, studying inequalities in the UK and how we compare to the rest of the world.
- Build an understanding of the Rule of Law by exploring government policies and how they have shaped the human and physical landscapes of the UK. For example, urban regeneration strategies and laws related to climate change.
- Consider Liberty encouraging opportunities for freedom of expression through project workgroup work and exploring human rights issues through topics such as fair trade.
- We support Tolerance and Mutual Respect of others through exploring stereotypes and learning about a range of different cultures e.g The Massai in Kenya, studying the impacts of flows of people through migration.
Reading
Our department is very well resourced with a wide range of subject specific textbooks which, along with other printed resources are regularly used for comprehension and reading tasks. In addition, we have compiled reading lists for each key stage including both fiction and non-fiction books with subject links, many of these books are available to borrow from the library or the department.
Oracy
Students are encouraged to participate in whole class and smaller group discussion and debates as well as regularly presenting their ideas in small groups to develop their oracy and confidence.
Careers
Through the study of world trade, globalisation, development, changing places and economic change students will gain an understanding of types of employment and the economic challenges and opportunities they present.
In addition, students are exposed to a wide range of geography-oriented careers as we study different places for example Arctic scientists, demographers and aid workers. We have displays within the department promoting careers as well as providing information at open evenings and careers events.
Character skills
Geography is a subject covering a wide range of topics, places and skills. As such, we have created a diverse and varied curriculum where students have many opportunities and are encouraged to develop the school values and character skills.
Teamwork, Aiming High, Problem Solving, Speaking, Listening, Creativity and Staying Positive are developed in many ways, for example:
- Regular group work tasks, creative homework projects and opportunities for debate and discussion.
- Detailed study of place students are often required to solve the real-world problems as how to improve the problems of squatter settlements.
- Fieldwork opportunities and gathering data help students build leadership skills.
- Geography ambassadors at KS4 and KS5 promote the subject and support younger year groups.
