Geography

Head of Department: Mr Newman
 
Geographers are multi-skilled. They are able to analyse and interpret information on a variety of scales and from a variety of sources. They don't just read maps and look for capital cities! Geographers are mathematicians, scientists, sociologists and psychologists.

Geography students can go on to a variety of occupations and study a variety of qualifications at university. There are many professions that hold geography in high regard. These include: marketing, manufacturing, financial services, management, environmental services, journalism, surveying, tourism, resource management, education, armed forces etc.

Geography is a dynamic and inspirational subject. At South Wirral geography students are challenged to look in awe at the world around them and develop a sense of wonder.

Geography at South Wirral is currently experiencing a renaissance. Over the past two years the numbers opting for GCSE geography have quadrupled. This rapid growth has basically resulted from hard work and determination. Making geography lessons stimulating, challenging and relevant is fundamental.

The teaching of Geography at South Wirral endeavours to meet the needs of every student. The teaching and learning style is based on the Mind Friendly Model which is similar to the Accelerated Learning Model. Every effort is made to appeal to students' varied learning styles and multiple intelligences. This approach is an extension of the National Strategy, going beyond the notion of a three-part lesson. Thinking Skills are endemic to the teaching of geography at South Wirral. Creative teaching is positively encouraged.

Syllabi

At the moment AQA syllabus A is taught for both A Level and GCSE. These provide a balanced curriculum of both physical and human topics. At Key Stage 5 students have 10 hours over two weeks and five hours at Key Stage 4. At Key Stage 3 students have one hour of Geography per week.

Key Stage 3

Currently at Key Stage 3 a broad balance of topics is taught. In Year 7 students investigate their home area, as part of a 'Bridging Project' -continuing work in their primary schools with units delivered in the first term. Also as part of the Making Connections unit students improve their knowledge of places in the British Isles. A unit follows this on Settlement, including some local fieldwork. Other topics include river pollution and an introduction to plate tectonics and volcanoes. In Year 8 there are units on coastlines, Brazil, Rainforests, Global warming and Rivers. In Year 9 students return to plate tectonics and study earthquakes, followed by work on interdependence. For this unit students investigate Ghana and Kenya, exploring the role of trade and tourism. There is then a comparison of development in an E.U. country, Italy. Finally students investigate the Geography of Crime.

The review of the Key stage 3 scheme of work currently underway will result in new topics and units entitled 'My Personal Geography', 'Geography Futures', 'Dangerous Places', 'Dirty Geography', 'Dangerous Geography', 'Eco Geography' and 'Developing Geography'.

Ghana

We are actively developing partnerships with schools in Ghana. We will soon formalise a partnership with a school in Accra. Students have already been involved in letter exchanges and finding out about life in Ghana. Future curriculum projects are planned. The teaching and learning of Ghana will form an important thread through all key stages.

The geography department has been involved in various International Days held at South Wirral.

Fieldwork

Over the past two years a rigorous fieldwork programme has been introduced. In Year 7 students take part in a joint visit with the Art Department to the Albert Dock, incorporating a visit to the Tate Gallery and a Mersey Ferry 'Cruise'. There is also local area fieldwork. In Year 8 there is a visit to Loggerheads in North Wales, to carry out a river study and to identify features of a honey pot location. In Year 9 students have had the opportunity to take part in trips to London (one day and/or residential), visiting the Natural History Museum and taking a ride on the London Eye. For GCSE there is the obligatory GCSE coursework investigation, which is currently a CBD/retail study of Birkenhead. There is also a 'Geo-Adventure' residential experience in North Wales, mixing visits to geographical sites of interest with outdoor activities. At Key Stage 5 students have been to the FSC at Malham.