The department is well equipped and occupies two dedicated teaching rooms. We have an extensive range of textbooks; a comprehensive video library; our own television and VCR; OHP; access to an automatic weather station and a range of fieldwork equipment. We also make use of the School’s Information Technology  suite of rooms. 

An Investigative style of learning together with Information Technology and fieldwork are incorporated from Year 7 (U3) to Sixth Form. 
 
 

Key Stage 3 

In Year 7 (U3) to Year 9 (U4) teaching is based upon the National Curriculum KS3 Guidelines - we follow its specified content  but we are not bound by its details with regard to assessment. We use the “Key Geography” series of textbooks together with departmentally produced worksheets. In these early years we aim to teach the principles of the subject and whilst expecting high standards we endeavour to make Geography accessible and enjoyable for all our students. 
 
 

In Year 7 (U3) the students enjoy orienteering and undertake local fieldwork,  complimenting their studies of Shopping and Ordnance Survey work.  In Year 8 (L4) the students undertake river studies in Northumberland the information from which is  presented as an Investigation,  marked to a specified assessment scheme. 

Information Technology is used by all years at KS3 ranging from desktop publishing to the use of “Encarta” and other departmental CD ROM's.  Year 7 (U3) undertake an Investigation based on information collected by our Automatic data logging Weather Reporter. 
 
 

Key Stage 4 

Geography is a popular subject at GCSE and a large percentage of students choose it as an option. The NEAB Syllabus A is studied and this provides a broad base of knowledge of both Human and Physical Geography. Much of the work, as lower down the School, is taught with a mixture of formal lessons with teacher direction and less didactic techniques where students work on their own or in small groups. At GCSE we use “The Wider World” and  “Geography in Place”;  a variety of departmentally produced resources and an extensive range of video programmes. Fieldwork in undertaken in both years. The coursework component, accounting for 25% of the final mark, is undertaken in Year 11(U5). 
 
 

A Level 

At A Level we follow the Cambridge Linear Geography Syllabus (9050) which covers aspects of Urban Processes, Population and Resources, Tourism and Agriculture; Cold Environments and Coastal Environments. The students also produce a 4,000 word Individual Investigation on a topic of their own choice. The teaching of the content is divided between the departmental staff - each specialising in either the Physical or Human component. An extensive range of textbooks, complimented by departmentally produced resources, are used.  Fieldwork and the use of Information Technology feature in both years.