Geography

Understanding geography is key to understanding many of the issues which we face in the world today. We look into the theory behind the headlines – global warming, migration, closure of industries, and study the ever-changing world that we live in today. Our aim is to provide excellence in geography teaching and have excellent teachers specialising in physical or human geography to guide pupils through. We are pleased that geography remains one of the most popular option subjects at BGS and this reflects the interest people have in what is going on in the world today. It is our aim to develop questioning and an independent approach in students. In addition to developing subject-specific skills we aim to develop more general skills of decision-making, problem-solving and skills of synthesis and analysis.

Fieldwork is an integral part of the study of geography and we aim to give all students high-quality fieldwork experience. Fieldwork occurs in all three key stages and locations include Devon, The Alps, The Gower and Cheddar. We also have optional fieldtrips abroad to locations such as Iceland and The Grand Canyon.

The department is very well-resourced and has a specialist teaching area. We possess excellent textbooks, maps, videos and computer hard- and software. We have our own intranet site and frequently use ICT in teaching.

Independent learning is also a key focus and each year group will carry out a piece of extended work based either on their fieldwork or on research.

Curriculum

Years 7, 8 and 9 follow a course designed to satisfy Key Stage 3 of the geography National Curriculum. This course includes units on geographical skills; the home region; settlement; industry; transport; tectonic activity; rivers; water supply and pollution; natural hazards; population and interdependence. Illustrative examples are chosen from around the world.

At GCSE the AQA Syllabus A is followed. This includes units on: population; settlement; agriculture; industry; resource management and tourism and development. Optional units include: tectonic activity; rocks and landscapes; coasts; and ice. The paper that is sat at the end of the course has optional subjects within it. This is so every geographer has studied the breadth of the subject and can then choose which areas they wish to answer in the examination. An individual investigative study makes up 25% of the final marks.

For details of the GCSE curriculum please visit www.aqa.org.uk