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Geography

Year 9 (Block 3)

In Block 3, we aim to:

• Complete the third of three years of work loosely based on the national curriculum and finishing at key stage 3 (age 14).
• Provide a sound basis in the subject leading into BAC.
• Develop a fundamental interest in, and excitement about, the world and to place students' knowledge and understanding in relevant spatial contexts.

We use two main themes for the whole year: sustainability and globalisation. The academic year begins with a trip to Ullswater; students are given an introduction to the area prior to departure and complete investigations on their return, making use of Ornance Survey mapping and Geographical Information Systems early on.  We build on these areas by looking into the long term effects of climate change on fragile environments.  The Spring term continues to build on the knowledge and understanding of sustainability and our future, before culminating in an extended project.  This allows students to select an area of geography that is of interest to them and explore it thoroughly.

View Block 3 students' sustainability project.

Years 10 & 11 (Blocks 4 & 5)

The Block 4/5 students follow the BAC Geography course, established 2009.  The aim of this course is to provide a platform for students to expand their knowledge of Geography further through extensive study of the natural and built world, to investigate patterns in the world around us and to enable students to fully appreciate the opportunities the world offers them.

Students study the principles behind Place, Development, Extreme Environments and extensive study of current global issues from earth hazards to political conflict.  Students can investigate the subject and its cross curricular nature; a chance to explore issues on a variety of scales, both spatial and temporal, that have direct relevance to the everyday lives of young people in the 21st Century.

The Geography BAC provides the foundations for students thinking about taking the subject to A Level and beyond.

Sixth Form

By keeping one foot in science and the other in the arts, Geography is able to provide an eclectic experience for the student interested in both how our human and physical environments operate and what can be done to manage them effectively. Links with most other subjects at A level are possible and commonly very fruitful, perhaps especially so with Biology, Economics, Physics and History.

The new OCR specification continues the exploratory nature and modernist approach of the Geography previously undertaken at Bedales. There is an emphasis on a broad range of geographical issues such as urban management and coastal erosion involving numerous field work experiences.

The AS course is designed to cover a wide range of key geographical topics; fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, coastal geomorphology, arid and semiarid environments, urban geography, rural geography and tourism. This involves first hand field work experience and the analysis of numerous examples and case studies from around the globe.

A2 candidates receive an intensive field work experience and followup work that prepares them for the new geographical skills paper. The rigours of experimental design, data collection and analysis are especially beneficial. The two main taught modules are earth hazards and inequalities. A third module for independent study is chosen from; atmospheric hazards, globalisation, threatened ecosystems, population and resources.

Examining Board: OCR

Head of Department: Kirsty Layton

Download a guide to the Sixth Form Curriculum.

Download the latest copy of the student-led geography magazine BGeo 2009: Bedales School Geographical Journal

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