Geography
Understanding our Changing Environment
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The study of geography stimulates an interest in and a sense of wonder about places. It helps young people make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world. It informs where places are, and explains how places and landscapes are formed, how people and their environment interact, and how a diverse range of economies, societies and environments are interconnected.
When teaching geography, we builds on pupils’ own experiences to investigate places at all scales, from the personal to the global. Geography is an ever changing subject with new discoveries based scientific research and it is essential that thsee new ideas are reflected in the content taught. Although some aspects of the subject have changed little in the last few years – such as how coasts are eroded by the sea or the study of plate tectonics, other aspects of the subject have changed enormously – from the challenge of global warming on our environment; to how Brexit will impact on our economy and all of our lives in the future.
'The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.'
Barack Obama
Appreciating Different Viewpoints
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Geographical enquiry encourages questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, now and in the future. Sometimes we study controversial topics where there is a wide disparity of viewpoints – a good geographer will examine all sides of an issue and understand that there is rarely a simple solution to complex issues.
Visiting our Local Environment
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Fieldwork is an essential element of the subject and we attempt to have at least one opportunity for studying ‘in the field’ per year – sometimes more. We make the most of our wonderful surroundings to study topics such as rivers and use nearby Lyndhurst to study everything from retail and tourism to housing and traffic management. We also study coastal processes and management at Avon Beach in Dorset and visit Southampton to complete some urban studies work.
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Becoming Responsible Global Citizens
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Pupils learn to think spatially and use maps and visual images. The subject also regularly uses mathematics skills such as drawing and analysing a variety of graphs and increasingly at GCSE, the use of statistics. Lessons make use of a variety of learning activities which stimulate interest and provide variation, such as group work, completing presentations, card sorts, mysteries, video clips and model making to name but a few. Geography inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.
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Geography Curriculum Outline
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Here is a general outline of the topics studied at our school. Please note that this is principally a guide and is subject to change.
