We have our own area of 5 dedicated teaching rooms, each with its own Interactive Whiteboard or overhead projector. The Department also has its own computer suite with 16 fully networked computers, with a wide range of subject-specific software and a GIS system.

Geography is a popular option at KS4 with approximately 80-100 students in both years 10 and 11. We follow the AQA A syllabus with an excellent average pass rate of 75% A*-C.

This popular course focuses on the physical and human processes and factors that have shaped the environment in which we live. You will learn about the interdependence of physical environments and how human activity affects the environment, and vice versa. You will also gain an understanding of the need for sustainable management of both physical and human environments. You will learn to appreciate the differences and similarities between people, places and cultures and improve your understanding of societies and economies.

In the Physical geography unit you will study The Restless Earth, Living World and Water on the Land and in the Human geography unit you will study Changing Urban Environments, Tourism and Development. There is also a local fieldwork investigation used for a controlled assessment.

At KS5, Geography continues to be a popular choice, again following AQA syllabus with outstanding success rates. In 2009, 84% of students achieved either a grade A-C at A2 and 94% achieved an A-C at AS.

GCE A level Geography will provide you with a sound understanding of both physical and human geography and their interrelationships. It will provide you with skills such as research, problem solving, statistical analysis, cartography and GIS, decision making as well as report writing. With this understanding and these skills you will develop into responsible and active citizens capable of working towards a more sustainable world.

At AS you will study rivers, floods and management and Coastal environments on the physical side and population change and energy issues on the human side. There is also a geographical skills paper.

At A2 for the physical paper you will study plate tectonics and associated hazards and challenges facing ecosystems and for the human paper world cities and development and globalisation. There is also a geographical issue evaluation paper.

Fieldwork is an essential element of Geography and we run two very successful residential fieldtrips, one in the Peak District for KS4 and one in Dorset for KS5. In the February half term 2010 we are also taking a group of year 11,12 and 13 geographers to Iceland for the first time.