Geography

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Aims:
	to gain an understanding of place through learning about the UK and other countries
	to encourage the development of geographical skills
	to appreciate that the quality of life varies at the local, national and international scale and to understand the implications of this variation.
	to help pupils gain confidence in researching topics and issues independently and communicating ideas to others
	to stimulate pupils' interest in both the human and physical environment and to foster an understanding of their role and responsibilities within that environment

Course Content

Years 7, 8 and 9 (Key Stage 3) - throughout the first three years the teaching syllabus is based on the National Curriculum with additional material being introduced to make use of staff expertise and local fieldwork opportunities.

Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) - those pupils that opt to carry on with Geography currently study the AQA A (3031) GCSE syllabus. This is assessed by two written papers and an individual project which accounts for 25% of the final grade awarded. Themes dealt with in the lower school are developed in more detail and include - plate tectonics, settlement, industry, coasts and rivers. This course includes fieldwork on Dartmoor and in Plymouth.

In the Sixth Form

The Department currently follows OCR's 'Specification A'. In the first (AS) year three units will be studied based on: 'The Physical Environment', 'The Human Environment', and 'Geographical Investigation'. The latter includes a 1000 word account of teacher directed fieldwork as part of its assessment. In the Upper Sixth three further units are considered, 'Options in Physical Geography', 'Synoptic Geography: People and Environment Options', and 'Investigative Skills'. The latter includes a 1000 word account of teacher directed fieldwork as part of its assessment. Fieldwork is conducted on the south Devon coast, Dartmoor and in Plymouth and its hinterland. Further fieldwork may be run as an option and a levy is charged.

Resources

Geography is a resource based subject and the Department's stock is both varied and expanding. Pupils use a mixture of resources in lessons, for example a variety of textbooks, videos and Ordnance Survey maps and are encouraged to utilise others as they produce independent enquiry work. The department also holds a selection of fieldwork equipment which is used for teacher directed fieldwork and can be borrowed for coursework. Where the opportunity arises the department is keen to encourage the use of ICT in its teaching.