Geography
The Geography Department is a popular department within the school and consists of two dedicated teaching rooms as well as a resources centre and office. There are four Teachers of Geography, two full time and two part time. Both classrooms have recently been equipped with state of the art multi-media equipment to enable the department to utilise cutting edge technology. The department is equipped with Aegis 3 Geographical Information System and students are using this in several areas of research.
Fieldwork remains a core emphasis of the department and each year group is involved in such research. The first year complete a study considering natural hazards at the Natural History Museum as well as exploring future energy sources in the Science Museum. The second year visit a slate mine in North Wales. Third year students learn the basics of GIS and data recording whilst undertaking a Microclimate study around the school grounds.
At GCSE the students currently undertake a study of the Central Business District in Oxford. This may change with the new GCSEs. The 6th form has undertaken study on the River Pang, in Berkshire and conducted a variety of pieces of work between Boscombe and Hurst Castle Spit on the South Coast. At A2 pupils develop these research projects and undertake a decision making exercise. In the past, overseas trips have included Morocco and Iceland and there are plans afoot for an Iceland trip this Easter. The department is a member of the Royal Geographical Society and this link is used regularly with access online to various materials and lectures as well as AS and A2 visits and study days. Pupils subscribe to a variety of Geographical publications and many pursue the subject beyond school at University. Recent visits have involved debates on climate change and population growth as well as lectures on 21st century challenges and Eco Cities in China.
All students learning is supported by a dedicated department intranet site which gives pupils course specific links and extension and support materials. This is available in the Pupil Shared Area only and is kept regularly updated.
Web Links:
www.geographical.co.uk/Home/index.html
www.ocr.org.uk/OCR/WebSite/docroot/index.jsp
P E Poynter BA HONS
Head of Geography