Welcome to the Geography Department

Welcome to the Geography Department at Poole High School. The world we live in is breath-taking, full of beautiful, complex and ever-changing landscapes.

Geography allows us to gain an overview of how humans interact with these physical environments, influencing our everyday life, whether it is the clothes we wear, food we eat or where we go on holiday. We hope to inspire in our pupils a fascination for their world and to prepare them for their important responsibilities as global citizens.

Departmental Courses

  • GCSE Geography (AQA)
  • GCE  Geography (AQA)

Who do I contact for more information?

Mrs H Stinton (h.stinton@poolehigh.poole.sch.uk)

Our diverse modules at Key Stage 3 inspire in pupils a curiosity and enthrallment in our world and the people who are changing it every day. As pupils progress, their understanding of the interactions between the Earth’s physical and human processes deepen. Modules studied have a relevance to issues that pupils come across in their everyday life such as fashion, the food they eat and their local coastline. Pupils are assessed at the end of each module through a range of different tasks.

Geography – GCSE Geography

Why study Geography?

Geography is everywhere! If you have an interest in the world around you and are fascinated about the processes that shape the environment and people’s lives, then this is the course for you. The course covers both human and physical geography so there is something in there for everyone, whether it is looking at the impact of the current conflicts taking place in the Middle East or how we can manage the extreme bushfires taking place in Australia.

Geography is an academic subject that gives you a broad range of knowledge, understanding and skills. It builds core employability skills such as research, discussion and problem-solving.

Topics include:

  • Physical landscapes of the UK
  • The living world
  • Resource management
  • Urban issues and challenges
  • The challenges of natural hazards
  • Changing economic world

Assessment

  • an examination on ‘Living with the physical environment’ worth 35% of the GCSE grade
  • an examination on the ‘Challenges in the human environment’ worth 35% of the GCSE grade
  • an examination on two pieces of fieldwork, on issues based upon pre-release material and geographical skills, worth 30%

Which students do well in Geography?

  • …those with enquiring minds
  • …those with an interest in the world around them
  • …those who can sequence and make links
  • …those who work well with others

 

A Level Geography

A level geography at Poole High is taught through the popular AQA syllabus, which provides students with the opportunity to study human and physical geography, and write their own research project on any geographical issue.

The paper breakdown is as follows:

Paper 1: Physical Geography:

Water and Carbon Cycles, Hazards and Coastal Systems and Landscapes (2hr 30 exam)

Paper 2: Human Geography:

Global Systems and Global Governance, Changing Places, Population and the Environment (2hr 30 exam)

Paper 3: Non-Examined Assessment

Students conduct a research project on a topic of their OWN CHOICE (3,000-4,000 words)

Why study A Level Geography?

Sir Michael Palin, late chairman of the Royal Geographical Society, states that 'Geography students hold the key to the world’s problems', which suggests geographers have the power to do anything they like. Indeed, geography careers cover a vast array of fields, from agriculture, to meteorology, to scientific research, conservation, sustainable development, international aid workers, finance, tourism and business. The Guardian in 2015 claimed that geography graduates are among the most employable in the UK, which bodes well for our A Level geographers! Simply put, geography rocks.

Studying geography opens many doors for young people in the world of work. It is considered to be multi-disciplinary, which means geography covers a broad range of areas of study. In turn this teaches students lots of different skills, which makes them extremely employable. Indeed, the Guardian considers geography graduates to be the most employable in the work force today. Geography can take you to careers in:

  • environmental sustainability
  • town planning
  • working for corporations to improve their green credentials
  • Environment Agency (EA)
  • Department for Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
  • transport planning (e.g. working for TfL)
  • GIS (Geographical Information Systems)
  • hazard and risk management
  • conservation
  • renewable energy
  • NGO work
  • travel and tourism
  • meteorology

For more specific information please follow the below links:

https://www.rgs.org/geography/choose-geography/careers/finding-jobs-in-geography/

https://www.rgs.org/schools/teaching-resources/going-places-with-geography-video/

Famous geographers include:

  • Prince William
  • Theresa May (former PM)
  • Sir Matthew Pincent and James Cracknell (Olympic gold medallists)
  • Michael Jordan (former basketball player)
  • Anita Roddick (founder of the Body Shop)
  • Dr Ian Stewart (Geologist, TV presenter)
  • Chris Tarrant (TV presenter)
  • Amy Macdonald (singer)
  • Sir Michael Palin (ex-chairman of the Royal Geographical Society, travel author, and comedian)
  • Sir David Attenborough (naturalist, documentary- maker)