Wymondham College

Geography is one of those richly comprehensive subjects whose relevance is all around us. Where we come from, what we do, what we eat, how we move about and how we shape our future are all directly the province of the Geographer. More than ever we need the geographer's skills and foresight to help us to learn about our planet- how we use it and we abuse it' - Michael Palin.

Geography is everywhere - without it we are lost. It helps us to understand the complex and dynamic world. In the department we aim to help students to develop an understanding of their position in the world as well as consider their own level of global responsibility. Central to the delivery of the subject is the focus on interdependence and a commitment to encouraging students to develop their own opinions and attitudes. Geography is one of the most fascinating and interesting subject that anyone can study. It draws on factual knowledge from both the sciences and the arts, and aims to develop analytical skills of the sciences and the descriptive and interpretative skills of the humanities. In this period of rapid change it provides us with the opportunity to develop links and ensure continuity in an increasingly diverse and disparate world.
In Years 7, 8 and 9 we study a variety of topics that allows students to define their place in the World. Each year is themed around a continental area with close reference to links with our own geographical location. Year 7 is The Americas, Year 8 is Europe, Year 9 is Africa. In this way we attempt to address the fundamental issue of where places are as well as discovering the dynamics and interrelationship between physical and human systems. Year 7 is our foundation stage where students develop key skills as well as investigate the local setting and its links with our American past. Attention is given to the physical forces that create our planet from plate tectonics to rivers. Students in Year 8 enter a phase of environmental and system discovery. Key issues of sustainability are addressed by examining natural systems, the impact that humans have and the way such systems control human activity. The final phase of Key Stage 3 is to focus students on decision making and provide opportunities for all to discuss their place in the grander scheme of things as well as consider the dynamics of economic change and development. Students are guided towards a more complex set of ideas that provides them with frameworks in order to develop higher order thinking skills.
At GCSE the Specification we follow is OCR B. This allows students to build upon the key ideas and knowledge gained at Key Stage 3 and ensure that both the academic and practical integrity gained at this level is consolidated and developed. Our students enjoy and engage with the four key themes of rivers and coasts, population and settlement, natural hazards and economic development. A balance of theoretical and practical work encourages students to become actively involved in the subject. Questioning, enquiry and decision making skills are core to the delivery of GCSE geography.

The specification studied in our Sixth Form, AQA emphasises the changing nature of the world we live in. The main aim of the course is to enable students to develop an understanding of how and why physical and human environments are changing while at the same time acquiring valuable Geographical skills. The course places great emphasis on the interdependence of places and on people's attitudes and values so that you gain an awareness of and an insight into Geographical issues such as climate change.