Geography is one of the most wide-ranging, stimulating and relevant subjects you can study. At Guthlaxton we reflect this face of geography – challenging, diverse, problem solving and global in scope. Geography connects in all sorts of ways with many other subjects, providing a framework for our evolving understanding of how the world works. Recent research shows that geography graduates have more career opportunities open to them than any other subject.
The aims of the Geography Department are to encourage students to develop an enquiring mind and responsible attitude about the environment in which they live. A broad and wide-ranging curriculum is offered throughout all year groups with cross-curricular themes and differentiation where necessary.
The department
The department currently comprises of the following staff:
- John Bailey – Head of Department and Assistant House Head
- Mark Birkenshaw – Second in department and i/c Library and Resources
- Sally Cox – Deputy Principal
- Natasha Davies
This is an experienced and successful department with all the staff being subject specialists.
The organisation of teaching and learning
Accommodation
Teachers share the use of each of the 3 rooms depending on the class being taught. Staff take great care in ensuring that the rooms are well maintained with attractive displays of work, photographs or word walls which support initiatives aimed at improving literacy.
Setting
Students are loosely set in Yr 10 according to SAT’s scores and high school teachers’ recommendations. In each Column there is one class who will mainly sit the higher tier and one who will largely sit the foundation tier examination. Only one sixth form class in each year group is taught per column.
In the Classroom
Students work in exercise books benefiting from a variety of teaching methods and resources. Effective use is made of textbooks specifically written for the specification being followed. Discussion, group work and individual research are strongly encouraged at all levels. Good use is made of lesson aims and objectives and ICT is increasingly playing a larger part in teaching and learning.
Specifications:
GCSE – OCR Specification B (Avery Hill) Specification number 1987AS/A2 – Edexcel Specification
Behaviour - rewards and sanctions
Behaviour in the department is very good. Students have a positive attitude and are well motivated and willingly contribute to lessons. Effective planning and researching helps to ensure the smooth running of lessons.
The department reinforces the College policy on behaviour with the College policy on rules, rewards and sanctions being displayed in each room.
Key Skills
Key skills have been incorporated in sixth form teaching. Communication skills are delivered through group presentations, numeracy through statistical exercises, and IT skills are covered in AS coursework.
Special needs
Individual students are supported in line with College policy according to their needs and available personnel. On occasions sixth form geography students have supported some KS4 students and this has been helpful in enabling students to make good progress in line with their ability.
Able and more able students
Able year 9 students, from a range of subjects, are identified from our 3 feeder high schools. These students are then involved in a rolling programme of workshops at Guthlaxton led by specialist teachers, of which geography is included.
Field trips and visits
After many years of using the Leicestershire outdoor centre in North Wales, the Department has recently ventured further afield for field trips. Mark Birkenshaw, who has responsibility for sixth form geography, has successfully established links and organised sixth form residential visits to Barcelona, New York and Toronto in the last few years. The visits have been tailored to the specific course requirements of the relevant year group. We believe that trips are an important part of the curriculum and we are indeed fortunate to have members of staff that are willing to undertake this responsibility. Working outside of school helps to consolidate the pupils’ understanding, and reinforces the relevance and practical application of what is learnt in the classroom. It encourages independence, team building within peer groups, in addition to having a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Day trips occur throughout the academic year as appropriate to the course material being taught at the time. Particularly, A2 students visit London in March to attend the Royal Geographical Society lectures as part of their course and GCSE students have the opportunity of attending a revision conference in Birmingham prior to their exams.
The arts
The Department is currently exploring the possibilities for integrating the arts into lessons through areas such as role-play and cultural activities.
GCSE course structure
Course details – OCR syllabus B, 4 core units:
- Climate, the environment and people
- Water, landforms and people
- People and place
- People work and development
Two examination papers – 75%
Two coursework tasks – 25%
AS Course Structure
The AS level is made up of two units:
- Unit 1: Global Challenges
- World at Risk
- Hazard zones
- Climate change
- Going Global
- Population migration
- Globalisation
- World at Risk
- Unit 2
- Extreme weather
- Crowded coasts
- Unequal spaces
- Rebranding places
A2 course structure
- Unit 3: Contested Planet
- Energy security
- Water conflicts
- Biodiversity under threat
- Superpower geographies
- Bridging the development gap
- The technological fix?
- Unit 4: Geographical Research
- Tectonic hazards
- Cold environments
- Life on the margins
- Cultural diversity
- Pollution and Health
- Rural landscape