Geography (Y7-13)

(GCSE exam board: AQA)

Geography Department Aims

The geography department teaches a challenging and interactive Key Stage 3 -5 course. This term we will focus on glaciation, climate change and resources and the environment in Year 7 and volcanic and earthquake hazards in Year 8 – both topics will involve lessons being delivered through an exciting mix of role play, group work, creative work as well as individual assignments.

Visits and local fieldwork form an integral part of all Key Stage courses – bringing geography in lessons to life through actual first hand experienced examples wherever and whenever possible. This term as always, we have a packed agenda of exciting enrichment visits planned or in the pipeline. The majority of the Y8 geography groups – those that can stomach getting up to leave at 6.30am!- will be visiting the Natural History Museum in London to support their work in the class on volcanoes and earthquakes. This is one of our main curriculum vehicles in KS3 and will afford the students the opportunity to become detectives of natural history as they seek answers to questions from all sections of the museum – prizes will be on offer to those that get the highest scores!

As we look ahead, we are very excited about the Y12/Y13 enrichment visit to Iceland which is fast approaching – March 17th-21st 2020 – we can’t wait as we return to the land of ‘Fire and Ice’ for what we are sure will prove to be a ‘trip of a lifetime’ opportunity to look at nature’s awe and wonder in its full majesty on this spectacular volcanic island. Hopefully we will get to see the Northern Lights too this time.

We have also asked Year 10 put their names into the hat for the Cornwall residential at the end of the academic year – a great opportunity to experience all that Cornwall has to offer at a fabulous time of year – the last week before we break up in July. After the ballot to determine successful applicants – we can only take 1 coach load – lucky holders of Cornwall golden tickets will be counting the days to this trip which is always regarded fondly by leaving Y11 students as they reflect back on their times at Painsley and what were ‘the best bits’!

Mr J Edwards

Head of Geography