Geography

Geography deals with concepts that are vital to an understanding of today’s world. It is the only subject that explores the relationship between people and their physical environment, which is essential if our increasingly interconnected and interdependent world is to be understood.

Geography is a popular course with both students and teachers. The subject content is diverse, relevant and stimulating. Topics are presented in a in a variety of ways from the formal to role play, group work and
decision-making exercises. The philosophy of the department is that geography is an exciting and highly relevant subject, essential if pupils are to make sense of places, people and the world around them. This involves an active commitment to fieldwork for all year groups. Routine fieldwork is carried out at a range of sites in northern England, including a biennial trip to Iceland.

The Geography department has a proven track record of exam success at GCSE.
100% of girls achieved grades A* - C for their GCSE in Geography (2010), 76% of girls achieved a grade A* or A
100% achieved grades A* - B in A Level Geography (2010)

Geography is an excellent bridge between Art and Science subjects and provides a useful support for both. Many of our girls like the fact that Geography complements many other subjects and a number of them have now chosen to continue it at University level.  It also provides the analytical, numerical, literacy and ICT skills that employees look for and this is why geographers work in almost every field of employment.

We offer GCSE Geography for pupils in Year 10 and Year 11 following AQA Specification A. The course is assessed by the completion of two exams, one of which tests the human aspects and one the physical aspects of Geography. These two exams are equally weighted and count for 75% of the total mark, the final 25% coming from a 20 hour piece of controlled assessment based on a local fieldwork investigation.