The Geography Department aims to provide all students with a range of skills that enable them to access, collect, display, analyse and use geographical data of all types, equipping them for life in all spheres of business and academia. These skills include the ability to critically evaluate and analyse sources e.g. maps, graphs and aerial photographs. We also provide the skills to access and use information about and therefore build a knowledge of place. Above all, we aim to provide the knowledge, understanding and skills to enable students to achieve at the highest level of which they are capable.

In this stage, we follow an exciting and innovative curriculum that blends traditional geographical theory with an appreciation of the issues that people face. Year 7 begin with a unit called ‘Planet Earth’ which encompasses the creation of the Earth and the skills that are needed to understand where people live on the Planet. Subsequently, they move onto ‘Blue Planet.’ This is the name given to the study of water spaces and oceans that cover the Earth, from the formation of coral reefs, to the study of plastics in the oceans. The final part of Year 7 involves the study of ‘Green Planet’, a unit that focuses upon the Tropical Rainforest, Desert and Tundra biomes.

Year 8 begins with ‘Red Planet’ that studies natural tectonic and climatic hazards alongside the issue of climate change. They subsequently study the role of development and interdependence in a unit called ‘Globalised World.’ The programme of study is completed by the final unit entitled ‘Future World’ which takes examples of novel strategies e.g. Masdar in the UAE, that people are introducing in order to survive in an increasingly challenging world.

Students follow the programme of study leading towards a qualification in the AQA GCSE (8035). This course covers a range of geographical topics and issues, giving a modern twist to traditional theoretical concepts from Mega cities to Climate Change. It aims to build the confidence of students who increasingly want to engage with topical issues that arise from the work (such as the importance of securing sustainable water supplies for the future and the dynamics of population movements both within and between countries). The main subject areas covered in these two years are: Hazardous Environments, The Living World, Physical Landscapes in the UK, Urban Challenges, The Economic World and Water Resources.

Perhaps the most important aspect of our work, in each area of study, is to engender curiosity and a desire to know about the world in which we live, encapsulating real issues of the present and the future in the subject areas we cover.

​The Eco-Schools Club is run under the auspices of the Department and a wide range of projects, such as paper and plastic recycling, are organised each term. Year 9 students have the opportunity to enter the Worldwise Quiz every year and students also take part in the Geographical Association’s Young Geographer of the Year Competition.

Field trips are run to comply with the requirements of the GCSE course. Currently, students visit Hinckley to complete the Human Geography aspect and Carding Mill Valley provides the location for the Physical geography study.