Department
Our aim is to instil in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Pupils who study Geography have a wide ranging knowledge and understanding of diverse places, peoples, cultures and the natural and human environments and processes that tie them all together. Our desire is that they excel in their studies at school, but also leave us as well rounded adults who can contribute positively to both the local and global context.
The Key Stage 3 Curriculum is designed to grab the attention of young people from the start. Here, we introduce the main physical and human geography themes. Pupils will learn about rivers, coasts, ecosystems, population and changing rural and urban areas amongst other topics such as the Geography of crime and a national study of South Korea.
At GCSE we follow the CCEA Geography specification. The pupils are very well prepared for this transition as all the main topics will have been introduced at Key Stage 3. Here, we build on that existing knowledge, promoting a higher level of understanding. At GCSE we develop both the study skills and exam techniques that will allow our pupils to succeed at the top level.
The Geography syllabus at Sixth Form is designed to inform, challenge and inspire our young adults as they leave school. The CCEA AS and A2 specifications are followed, and learning is at the advanced level. Opportunities for fieldwork and a ‘real world’ decision making exercise at A2 further enhance the experience and capabilities of our Sixth Form pupils.
Anyone who studies Geography in school is well equipped for life beyond the classroom.
The vast majority of Friends’ School geographers leave to take up places in a wide array of university degree courses ranging from Earth Sciences at Oxford University to Business Management at Queens University Belfast. From here they have gone on to have very successful careers as marine biologists, accountants, doctors, teachers and every other rewarding career you can think of.
