Department of Geography

Our department has 3 specialist teachers: Mr N. Hunter, Ms K. Davies and Ms V. Hallett

Aims of the department:

 The department has 4 aims-

• To develop students awareness of sense of place
• To make students aware of different cultures and environments
• To develop students’ geographical skills
• To make students aware of the causes and consequences of geographical issues

We are committed to the development of enquiry based learning approaches across all key stages.

Key Stage 3

In year 7 students explore: The nature of geography, weathering, coastal management, settlement.

In year 8 students explore: Ecosystems, Wales and the global economy, the impacts of tourism and population issues

In year 9 students explore: Natural hazards, sustainable development at local level, development in Brazil and Global warming.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

We deliver GCSE via the EDEXCEL Specification B. This course builds upon the Key stage 3 program and focuses upon contemporary issues in geography.

The study units for 2006-07 are:

1 Population dynamics -     Population and resources

2 Settlement -     Employment

3 Coasts -     Hazards

4 Weather and climate

5 Recreation and Tourism

For further details on each unit and assessment formats, visit the Edexcel website, www.edexcel.org.uk

The course is assessed via examination (75%) and coursework (25%). The coursework is based upon the analysis of primary and secondary data collected through a structured fieldwork enquiry on the Porth Relief Road.

Key stage 5 (Advanced level)

We have a well established commitment to the EDEXCEL Spec B Geography advanced course. This is a natural follow on from the GCSE course and also has a strong enquiry and issues based approach.

Units studied are:

AS

• Unit 1: Landforms – coastal and fluvial
• Unit 2: Human environments – rural and urban
• Unit 3: Environmental Investigation(coursework). Change in the Newport urban environment

A2  

• Unit 4: Population, Global economy, Biogeography and Atmospherics
• Unit 5: Natural hazards and one report chosen from 20 titles on a human geography theme.
• Unit 6: Synoptic paper. A decision making exercise based on any theme(s) studied in other units

For further details refer to   www.edexcel.org.uk .

Fieldwork

Our department has a strong commitment to fieldwork and is currently bringing new field opportunities to all key stages.

All A level students engage in fieldwork as part of their coursework commitment.

At GCSE level the new Northern Ireland sustainability field course will be available from 2007.