They study the physical landscape (rocks, landforms, weather, climate and ecosystems) as well as the use that people make of their surroundings by building settlements and earning their livelihoods. Pupils learn to understand the processes responsible for change in the human and physical landscape and explore inter-relationships. Through the study of these varied topics, students are introduced to examples from their local area, the British Isles, Europe and around the world. They learn to appreciate the contrasts between countries at different levels of development.

Skills

Through the study of Geography, pupils have the opportunity to improve their skills in

• Literacy
• Numeracy including graphs and statistics
• Map-reading
• ICT competence
• Data collection
• Problem solving
• Decision making

Fieldwork

Fieldwork plays an important part in the Geography curriculum. In their first three years pupils experience fieldwork around the school and local area, they also make a visit to Peatlands Park near Dungannon. At GCSE level students collect and analyse data to investigate river features and characteristics; the GCSE coursework changes annually in line with the CCEA policy. At AS level the pupils visit Magilligan Field Centre for a three day residential, during this time they review their fieldwork skills at a river, study ecology on sand dunes and complete an urban study as part of the human geography specification.

External Examinations

The examination board used at GCSE, AS and A2 level is CCEA. Geography is a very popular option in the Sixth Form and excellent results are generally achieved.   80% of students gained an A/B grade at AS level and 95% gaining an A*-C grade at A2 level last year, this is well above the NI average. 

What about a little extra?

The Geography department has been fortunate to host guest speakers from the British Red Cross and Christian Aid.  Guest speakers give our students a valuable insight to the world around them both at home and abroad.  As a kind gesture the pupils within the Geography department often like to contribute to these organisations at Christmas time.  Over the past few years the pupils have purchased a flock of 24 ducks for a family in Bangladesh, numerous chickens, and bio-sand water filters. We would like to thank all our pupils for their heartfelt kindness, generosity and belief that we can all do a little extra in the world around us.