GEOGRAPHY
All aspects of physical, human and environmental Geography are taught from Year 4 to Sixth Form. Geographical study requires pupils to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to the world around them, and thus fieldwork is considered an integral part of Geography at the Harrodian. All year groups take part in fieldwork including local studies of Barnes, museum visits, trips to the south coast and an expedition to explore Iceland's volcanic scenery.
Geography is the integrated study of the Earth’s places, peoples, environments and societies. Students learn through an enquiry-based approach to think geographically and to investigate world issues. As citizens of their local community, nation and world, students will be asked to consider the values and attitudes of decision makers and explore their own views of a variety of contemporary issues in Geography.
Fieldwork is undertaken in every year group, in order to enhance the pupils’ understanding of the topics covered and to encourage students to develop a full range of key skills, including numeracy, literacy, ICT, cartography and statistics. An outline of the current fieldwork plan is shown below.
Year Group |
Date |
Location |
Duration |
Upper Sixth |
6th-9th September |
North Norfolk – Coastal management |
3 days |
Lower Sixth |
22nd September |
Denman – urban areas |
1/2-1 day |
|
4th October |
London |
1 day |
14s |
25th April |
Kingston (CW) |
1 day |
|
15th-18th June |
North Wales – Glacation, rivers and farming |
4 days |
13s |
22nd June |
Eastbourne – coastal processes |
1 day |
12s |
Sept / Oct |
Richmond Park (CW) |
1 day x 2 |
11s |
19th October |
Earth Galleries – plate tectonics |
1 day |
|
February |
Microclimate |
Double lesson |
10s |
26th March |
Rushall Farm - agriculture |
1 day |
9s |
7th February |
Bluewater – shopping trends |
1 day |
8s |
11th May |
Wetlands Centre and Kew – water management and tropical rainforests |
1 day |
In addition to the annual fieldwork programme, the department runs bi-annual trips to Iceland and Costa Rica, enabling pupils to experience first-hand the wonders of the natural world.
Students are encouraged to compete in the “worldwize quiz” and participate in lectures run by the local Geographic association at Kingston University. In addition, the pupil’s Geographical skills are utilised in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (optional).
The department prides itself on its academic achievements and each year supports students in their application to read Geography at some of the UK’s finest universities.
Head of Department: Miss Helen Devine
