Geography

“Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future”
Michael Palin

Geography in S. Anselm’s College is a living, breathing subject that is both dynamic and relevant. So many of the world’s current issues – at a global scale and locally – boil down to geography.  We therefore encourage an active awareness of the landscape around us, how the environment may affect our lives and recognition of how people can influence the environment for better or worse.

The course will deepen pupils’ understanding of geographical processes, illuminate the impact of change and of complex people-environment interactions, highlight the dynamic interrelationships between places and environments at different scales and develop pupils’ competence in using a wide range of geographical investigative skills. It seeks to develop pupils’ knowledge of locations, places, environments and processes on local and global scales and in social, political and cultural contexts.

Year 9

At S. Anselm’s College the Year 9 Geography course, studied by all pupils, has evolved from the ethos of pupil-centred enquiry. The course focuses the pupils’ minds on the geographical issues that are relevant to their generation: fundamentally, how and why the world is changing, globally and locally and how – with planning – the future may be more sustainable.

We explore geographical issues such as climate change, deforestation, water as a resource, population issues and sustainable management in cities and a number of environments.

Pupils are encouraged to be scholarly in their approach and ask thoughtful key questions. They also have the opportunity to consider a variety of stakeholder views on a variety of geographical issues and, in doing so, become knowledgeable yet critical geographers.

We explore the diverse wealth of landscape in the local area – and beyond – through a wide programme of visits and practical fieldwork, which include a river study in the Peak District National Park as well as a review of urban management.

GCSE Geography

Geography is an optional GCSE subject at S. Anselm’s College. We follow the Edexcel Syllabus ‘A’ Specification which is taught as a two year course comprising of three major components, as follows:

The Physical Environment

• The changing landscapes of the UK
• Weather hazards and climate change
• Ecosystems, biodiversity and management

The Human Environment

• Changing cities
• Global development
• Resource management

Geographical Investigations: Fieldwork and UK Challenges

• Physical environments (rivers or coasts)
• Human environments (central/inner urban areas or rural settlements)
• UK challenges

To enhance class based learning, fieldwork opportunities include coastal geography (visiting Flamborough Head and the Holderness coast). Rivers (River Dove) and urban change (contrasting four of Sheffield’s wards).