Geography

Course summary

The Geography A Level course is a two-year linear programme which follows the Eduqas syllabus. It contains a mixture of human and physical geography units. Physical topics include the study of earthquakes and volcanoes, coastal processes, climatic hazards and the carbon and water cycles. Within each we develop a detailed understanding of the processes involved with these physical systems as well as managing human interactions with them. The human geography topics cover the changes and pressures affecting cities and rural areas in different countries. We learn about how global ocean resources are managed. We discuss the patterns and complexity of international migration issues. We look at issues relating to our use of energy resources and how sustainable our actions are. Students will need to identify a topic of interest to them for this investigation, develop a methodology to obtain data and then analyse and evaluate their findings. This research and the report produced is an excellent preparation for university skills. We will undertake a total of four days fieldwork across the two years. These will be run a day trips within a few hours drive of the school. These experiences will partly contribute to the students’ personal investigation as well as embedding knowledge from some topics such as dynamic coastal and urban environments. We teach students to use sophisticated computer mapping and analytical software (GIS) to examine spatial relationships. We are recognised as an Esri Centre of Excellence in GIS education. Our department was also awarded the Royal Geographical Society Ordnance Survey Award for Excellence in Secondary Education, and has also won a Pearson Silver Teaching Award. In addition, our department was awarded the prestigious ‘Centre of Excellence’ status by the Geographical Association. The course will develop skills in research and analysis. It will enhance spatial literacy and understanding of very topical issues facing our world. For further information please visit the exam board website. Our department runs international trips to such places as Iceland, Morocco and Italy. Geography is one of those subjects that you will find yourself using in so many ways in the future. These will range from simply having a better understanding of current affairs, to utilising your map work, research and communication skills in almost any career choice. Directly related careers include environmental science research, town planning and overseas development work. However, most employers will value your world understanding as well as your sophisticated analytical skills, demonstrated through tasks like your fieldwork project. Geographers leave Higher Education to work in many fields including international finance, marketing, public relations and journalism.