An Introduction To The Geography Department

Head of Humanities Faculty: Miss R Hoyes

Head of Geography Department : Miss R Hoyes

Teacher of KS3, GCSE AS and A2 Geography: Miss R Hoyes and Miss R Staniland

Teacher of KS3 Geography: Mrs J Caruth

2010-11

Geography is a popular subject across the school at GCSE. The department provides the opportunity to investigate the physical and human features of our surroundings. Processes affecting the physical environment and landscape are investigated and pupils are introduced to topical human issues to encourage an understanding of regional and global problems.

Our aim is to develop an awareness of the world in which we live. We prepare students for a world of global business and different cultures and promote good citizenship. Our students are encouraged to be independent learners aided by an e-learning environment. The subject of Geography is forever changing which is what makes it such an exciting subject to study. Who would have thought year 10 would be writing and presenting their own newsbroadcasts on the Haiti earthquake, year 9 would be putting Alfred Wegener on trial for his theory of plate tectonics, year 8 conducting their own microclimate study around the School grounds and year 7 becoming travel agents promoting their chosen holiday destination to the rest of the School! Geography is a subject at Claremont that does not sit still.

Our teaching is supported through a range of resources and fieldwork. We run residential visits in Year 10 and 12, so that each pupil has the opportunity to study river, coastal, limestone and glacial landscapes as well as the built up areas and tourism opportunities aroud us. Year 10 spend 5 days on the Isle of Wight and Year 12 will visit Gloucestershire for 3 days in October. More local fieldwork has been conducted within the School grounds, and Year 8 and 9 have visited Kew Gardens and the Olympic Site. In recent years, geographers have visited North Norfolk, Iceland, New York and Barcelona.

Other extra curricular activities include weekly Geography clinics which support all parts of the School. Gifted and Talented students have been working on independent projects such as researching current news events and helping set up a weather station. We hope to develop a more varied Gifted and Talented Programme this year.

The Geography department also runs an extremely popular initiative, a regular Geography Competition. Over the last few years, students have entered Where in the World, Cake Geographical Landforms, Geography Quizes and Dream Destination competitions. See the diary pages for more information!