The main aims for the Geography department are for pupils to enjoy the subject and achieve their best. While we work towards both Common Entrance and Scholarship exams, we hope that through extra activities and our use of ICT there is something for every child to shine at. Children are introduced to Geography in Kingfishers, our pre-prep department. Years 3, 4 and 5 are taught by their class teacher while Years 6,7 and 8 are taught by myself.

In addition to classroom teaching, we plan all sorts of activities to complement the curriculum. In Year 5, the children spend a day at Barry Island, South Wales, exploring the processes and issues associated with coasts, stopping at lunchtime for local fish and chips.

Year 6 explore mountains which means a trip up Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons and a chance to see a Mountain rescue dog demonstration. They also look at how chocolate is made, investigating the growing processes, how it is made and designing their own product. This does, of course, culminate in a chocolate tasting session.

Year 7 undertake fieldwork on Leckhampton Hill, exploring the effect that altitude has on climate. The data that is collected is put together with the help of ICT to produce a short write-up of the findings.

In Year 8 every child undertakes a fieldwork activity of his or her choice, either associated with human or physical Geography. The Scholars also have the chance to prepare a set project using iWeb to produce completed web pages.

Morwenna Grindle, Head of Geography