Aims of the Geography Department
The aim of this Department is to provide a broad and balanced geographical education and to stimulate interest within and beyond the classroom. Pupils should acquire skills in geographical enquiry, develop an ability to understand geographical issues and be able to communicate their understanding in various forms. It is hoped that the study of Geography in the school will promote:-
- a sense of enjoyment;
- an understanding of the pupil's immediate environment, the country within which they live and the location of their country within a global context;
- to develop a positive attitude towards themselves, others around them with different cultural/ethnic base;
- to develop a caring attitude with regard to their environment, both at a local and global level.
At Key Stage 3 pupils get opportunities to learn mapping skills in Year 8 and these are developed throughout the topics studied each year. Components of both the Physical and Human environment are studied including Settlement, Landforms, Work, Weather and Climate, Hazards, Rocks, Global Issues, Development, Farming, Coasts, Globalisation, Population and Ecosystems.
At GCSE pupils follow the CCEA syllabus. Unit 1: Understanding our natural world (the dynamic landscape, our changing weather and climate and The Restless Earth). Unit 2: Living in Our World (People and where they live, Contrasts in World Development, Managing Our Resources).
At A Level pupils follow the CCEA syllabus and the aim of this course is to develop further their knowledge of both Physical and Human Environments and learn to inter-relate these complex issues. Students are encouraged to investigate how decisions are made about the use and management of resources and environments, and to understand the significance and effect of peoples’ values and attitudes in geographical issues.
Opportunities exist for field investigations at all Key Stages. At GCSE pupils complete a three day residential at Magilligan Field Centre in order to collect the primary data for their Controlled Assessment and complete the report. This is based on a study of the Curlyburn River. The pupils who study Geography at A Level spend one day at Magilligan Field Centre carrying out fieldwork for AS3 and A2 1.
As the pace of technological change alters the quality and shape of our environment, at all levels so it becomes ever important for pupils to understand these changes and predict possible outcomes. Geography is one subject at the forefront of this quest.