Years 7, 8 and 9

The Department aims for the Key Stage 3 course to be inspiring, varied and challenging.  It aims to teach the students essential geographical skills which are then used in later life and in the study of the subject higher up the school.  The course is based on a combination of the study of places and themes.  There is a field day for the whole year group in Years 7 and 9 and a half-day activity in Year 8.

Years 10 and 11

The AQA Specification A (3031H) is taught.

Within the Department we strive to ensure that the students are both well equipped to achieve their full potential in the exam and inspired to look to continue to AS/A2 level.  The course aims to build on to the Key Stage 3 course using some case studies such as Italy migration and Brazil shanty towns as well as looking at new topics.  Geographical skills and exam technique are taught throughout all sections of the course.  The course can contribute significantly to the study of citizenship and spiritual, moral, ethical, social and cultural issues

Project work is seen as a major opportunity for the students to investigate a topic that interests them and to allow a large degree of differentiation in both task and outcome.  Students carry out a second teacher lead project in March of Year 10 and are then given a number of potential project titles.  A handbook accompanies each project.  Some students chose their own individual projects.  Lesson time is allocated to projects and students complete them over the summer holiday between Year 10 and Year 11.

Years 12 and 13

The OCR Specification A is studied.

The Department aims to enthuse and inspire the students in the subject and to track their progress carefully to ensure that they reach their full potential

Field work is undertaken wherever possible with the Nettlecombe Field Trip being an essential part of the teaching.  This four day residential trip is supplemented with visits to local woodlands in Year 12 and a two day residential trip in Year 13 to the South Coast.

The Department carefully analyses student performance in relation to their own potential throughout the year and is active in communicating with students, tutors and parents.  We take pride in the “value added” element of their success and are encouraged by the very high numbers going on to study Geography at university.