Geography is a vibrant and exciting department which delivers a course for those of you who are interested in the world around you

Ethos

Geography is a vibrant and exciting department which delivers a course for those of you who are interested in the world around you and in learning about people, places and environments. It is an evolving subject which reflects world conditions and changes which occur such as; climate change, issues of population change and pressures this places on resources and planning of our urban area, so up to date knowledge of current affairs is important.

At the Crypt School we strive to offer students knowledge of traditional Geography as well as pushing boundaries and encompassing Geography as an exciting and relevant subject in the 21st Century.

The Department

Geography is currently taught in subject specific and well equipped rooms by Mr Reynolds (Head of Geography), Mr Biggs (Head of Upper School) and Mrs Brooks.

Successes

Geography is a popular subject at The Crypt and continues to go from strength to strength. We are proud as a department of our recent outstanding GCSE results (98% A*- C). At AS 90% of pupils obtained A-D results with the A2 grades achieving 100% A-D. These grades reflect the departments reputation for excellent standards of teaching and learning within the class room and the support pupils can expect from their geography teachers.

We have growing links with The University of Gloucestershire where our prospective Geography graduates have the opportunity to experience University courses and future lives as a Geographer. The department is current leading a YEP (Young Energy Project) as well as looking at the school becoming a sustainable school of the future.

Rewards

The department acknowledges that student learning is accelerated with positive reinforcement in lessons and uses the school merit and praise card systems when and wherever possible. We also have a Geographer of the month award which is awarded to one student per year group per month. At AS and A level, individual coaching is used to provide extra support for some students. Results are displayed along with examples of student work on a screen outside of Room 35.

Curriculum

Geography is taught to all students in KS3 and then as an optional subject at KS4/5. At both GCSE and AS/A2 level the AQA course is studied:

GCSE - page on AQA web site
A LEVEL - page on AQA web site

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12	Year 13
Geography All Around Us	Coasts	Tectonics	The Restless Earth	Population Change	Geographical Skills	Advance Information Booklet Exam
Weather & Climate	Population	Ecosystems	Water On The Land	The Development Gap	Rivers & Flood Management	Plate Tectonics & Associated Hazards
Rivers & Flooding	Economic Activities	Development	The Coastal Zone	Changing Urban Environments	Coastal Environments	World Cities
Settlement	Risky World	State of the Planet			Population Change	Contemporary Conflicts & Challenges
					Energy Issues

Fieldtrips

The curriculum is supported through field work opportunities; either as a day trip or as a residential visit and this is seen as a key aspect of learning and enjoyment in the subject.

Fieldtrips include; A Key Stage Three visit to Goodridge castle and the surrounding settlement as a joint History/Geography day trip.

Key Stage Four students complete a River studies day trip as part of their controlled assessment (25% of GCSE)

Key Stage Five students attend a Residential trip to North Devon in year 12.

Careers

Geography graduates have one of the highest rates of graduate employment and studying geography will provide you with transferable skills and a firm base for life-long learning. Geographers look at issues from a wide perspective and develop a range of skills which are attractive to a very broad range of future employers.