Geography

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Aims

The Geography Department in Regent House aims to stimulate pupils’ interest not only in the classroom but in the world around them.

In order to do this, we aspire to provide a broad and balanced geographical education in such a way that pupils can explore their sense of place – how they belong to their own locality and how they interact with the wider world.

Through this, pupils will hopefully appreciate physical and human diversity and gain some understanding of the needs and perspectives of others.

Curriculum

Throughout Years 8 - 10 we aim to give pupils a good understanding of the main topics of Geography as well as a firm foundation for those who choose to study the subject at GCSE or A’ Level.

Pupils will study Human and Physical Geography as well as having the opportunity to do group work, ICT and fieldwork whereby developing their teamwork, presentation and computing skills.                                                                          

Key Stage 3

GCSE

At Regent House, pupils study the CCEA GCSE Geography specification.

In Year 11 & 12, the course is comprised of three units made up of:

• Unit 1 - Understanding our Natural World: River Environments, Coastal Environments, Our Changing Weather and Climate and the Restless Earth

• Unit 2 - Living in our World: Population and Migration, Changing Urban Areas, Contrasts in World Development and Managing our Environment

• Unit 3 - Fieldwork

The final mark is made up of two 1.5-hour examination papers (Units 1&2) which together are worth 80% and a 1 hour examination paper (Unit 3) worth 20%.

A Level

At Regent House, pupils study the CCEA GCE Geography specification

Whether you just want to broaden your knowledge, plan to continue your studies through further education, or use this course to start your career, this course will provide you with the opportunity to gain transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, analysing, investigation, IT and map reading.

In Years 13 and 14 we follow the CCEA specification. Geography at this level is divided into 3 modules in each year.

Year 13

AS 1: Physical Geography

• Fluvial environments

• Ecosystems

• Atmosphere

AS 2: Human Geography

• Population

• Settlement

• Development

AS3: Fieldwork Skills and Techniques in Geography

Year 14

A2 1: Physical Processes, Landforms and Management

It comprises 3 optional units of which we choose 2:

• Plate Tectonics – Theory and Outcomes

• Dynamic Coastal Environments

A2 2: Processes and Issues in Human Geography

It comprises 3 optional units of which we choose 2:

• Planning for Sustainable Settlements

• Tourism

A2 3: Decision Making in Geography

ICT

Pupils in all year groups should be given opportunities to develop their ICT skills through Geography. These should be used to enhance their learning. Each member of the department should evaluate any such resources and be aware of the ‘geographical’ content of all such resources used.

Fieldwork

It is one of the objectives of the Geography department that all year groups should have the opportunity to carry out one fieldwork task per year.  This is something which we hope to roll out over the next few years (2013-2015). Pupils often find that fieldwork allows them to connect what they have learned in the classroom to real life i.e. turning theory into practice/reality. 

Fieldwork is widely regarded as an essential component of geography education and a well planned field trip can be one of the most memorable parts of a student's time at school. According to Paula Richardson of the Geographical Society, “Exposure to television, advertising and modern travel has extended pupils’ awareness of other places and environments, but nevertheless they may remain unobservant, uncritical and unchallenged. Often they make little use of their experiences in their local area to really understand why things are as they are.”

Trips

On alternate years 2006-2016, the Geography Department took a group of Year 13&14 Geography students to New York City and then in 2018 we visited Rome and Naples in Italy.

As well as an educational visit it is also a cultural experience. The five days have a full and action-packed itinerary, which leaves no stone unturned and no sight unseen.

For many of our pupils it is a trip of a lifetime, creating memories that will remain with them for life!

Careers

According to CCEA studying Geography will help you gain a greater understanding of, for example people and places, weather systems, tourism, global energy and sustainable development. It can help you to develop a wide range of skills that are attractive to employers such as developing your skills in investigating, collating and evaluating information and being able to contribute to important debates on the current issues facing our world today.

You may just wish to study Geography for your own personal interest, but if you wish to continue the study of Geography at degree level, you will need to complete the full A Level course comprising the two units at AS together with the two at A2.

Many of the topics or issues that you will study will be reported in the media, for example, environmental concerns such as pollution, flooding, earthquakes and global warming. This close link between studying Geography and what is going on in the world around you could lead you perhaps to a career in environmental work or with an aid agency. Many geography students go on to have successful and interesting careers such as urban planners, cartographers, GIS specialists, climatologists, environment managers, weather forecasters, researchers, teachers, demographers, environmental managers and/or hazardous-waste planners.