Geography

Geography foundations are laid in the Junior classes and start with where we are in relation to other countries. The pupils learn countries and capitals and we use their own experiences to help understand the fundamental principles of the subject. The syllabus helps them to understand our multinational world by exploring and comparing more economically developed countries with less developed ones. The pupils will learn how physical, human and social geography come together to make sense of the world we live in.

Geography is a subject which is both interactive and cross-curricular, incorporating Mathematics, Science, ICT and literacy skills. It encourages pupils in critical analysis of the world around them and encourages good presentation. These skills are also very useful in fieldwork which we do on site and when we visit Dartmoor for the final year project.

Discussion is very much encouraged in class as it is a vital learning tool in encouraging pupils to formulate their own conclusions about the world around them.

In the Junior classes we mainly follow the National Curriculum but the emphasis changes in Year 6 when we start to prepare for Common Entrance and Scholarship. Currently the CE and Scholarship syllabus involves global location, OS maps, case studies including geomorphological processes, weather and climate, settlement, globalisation and economic activity, environmental issues, a fieldwork report and hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic activity and flooding.