The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next 50 years than it has ever done before and our role in that change is more important than ever. Geography we believe explains the changes and helps to prepare people. It is a subject about now and the future.

Within the Geography department at CRGS we aim to deliver diverse and dynamic courses at all key stages to prepare to help our students understand the world they live in. We aim to produce Geographers who have a unique viewpoint and are able to combine political and economic ideas with an understanding of the physical processes within the landscape. We believe Geography develops the ability to combine scientific principles with economic awareness, environmental concern and an appreciation and tolerance of peoples’ attitudes and values.

The Department

Mr J Longshaw (Head of department)

Mr D Fox

Mr C Reed

Most teaching is carried out in two centrally-located specialist-rooms, both of which are equipped with permanently installed DVD, digital projectors, smart boards plus extensive display boards. The main geography room has 16 networked computers which students are free to use for their studies at lunch and after school.

Key Stage 3

In Years 7 to 9 we aim to introduce a wide range of topics which come under the umbrella of Physical and Human Geography whilst also developing a wide range of more practical ICT, Graphical, Cartographical and field work skills.

Year 7

• Introduction to the subject

• Core skills – map and photographic work

• The local environment

• Understanding weather & climate

• Understanding the countryside ~ farming

• The unstable earth ~ earthquakes, volcanoes.

Year 8

• Brazil – tropical rainforest, development & the environment, urban change.

• Italy – contrasts within a European country, development of the south, tourism in the Alps.

• Development – the state of the world, rich and poor, projects to help

• The geographical impact and legacy of the London 2012

Year 9

• Meteorology – explaining the weather & forecasting, climatic change & consequences

• Water – various locations with particular issues – the Aral Sea (CIS), the Three Gorges Dam (China), Phoenix Arizona (USA)

• Population – births and deaths, migration (Mexico / USA), policy in China, a project in Japan.

GCSE

Geography is a popular subject at CRGS with around 65 -70 students opting to study it. Students have 2 one hour lessons a week with extra revision lessons and coursework support lessons also offered if students wish to attend. The AQA Specification A is followed which includes the following units of study.

Physical Geography (37.5%)

Ice on the land, Hydrology and the Restless Earth

Human Geography

(37.5%) Changing urban environments, The Development gap and Globalisation

Geographical Fieldwork controlled assessment (25%)

The lessons are designed to have a strong practical element which includes important skills such as the collection, processing, interpretation and presentation of information and the development of graphic and communication skills. All are important in a wide array of modern careers.

Many of our students continue their studies into the sixth form students and onto university. From here some have opted for specific geographic careers in cartography, GIS, surveying and local government for example whilst an increasing number use their degree as a pathway onto graduate management training schemes or transfer their skills to areas such as finance and banking and law.

Sixth Form

At AS and A level, the AQA Specification is followed by around forty students annually who select the subject. It is taught in three classes in each of the Lower and Upper Sixth. All three specialist staff share the five hours per week of teaching throughout the two years for all classes at this level. Each student is provided with his or her own reference books to retain for the year whilst up to date resources, revision notes and programmes of study are available on the Geography department intranet site. Each year, a number of candidates are successful in their applications to read Geography or related subjects at university, and they receive guidance and support from subject staff. The department runs Geogsoc for students who wish to take their geographic studies further. This involves meetings to discuss contemporary issues within the subject and lectures from outside speakers.

Lower sixth Module 1 (35%) - Physical and Human Geography (Hydrology, Arid environments, Coasts) (Population, Health, Energy issues)

Module 2 (15%) - Applied Geography (Geog. Skills)

Upper Sixth Module 3 (30%) - Contemporary geographic issues (Plate tectonics, Ecosystems, World cities, Globalisation & Contemporary conflicts + challenges)

Module 4 (20%) - Geographic fieldwork investigation

The full specification can be viewed here. A residential field study course runs in March taking students to FSC Slapton, Devon for four days of geographic study. Further information on the centre at www.field-studies-council.org/slaptonley/ The department also runs Geographical adventure trips for students wishing to take their geographic experience further. With a trip to Morocco in summer 2010 planned and Iceland in 2012. The Morocco trip will start in Marrakech and involve a 9 day trek up into the Atlas Mountains. The adventure provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience of a different culture and physical landscape. Students are also given the opportunity to subscribe to specialist AS/ A level publications & the school is a member of the RGS.