"There can be few subjects more useful and relevant to society than Geography. Geographers focus on issues of every day concern , but also take a long historical view of such things as landuse and climate change. Geography addresses the burning issues of the day in an unpretentious fashion, producing rational insights and solutions" Dr Alisdair Rogers (Fellow, Keble College, Oxford)

Geography at College is a lively and enlightening experience. Our teaching is characterised by experienced, enthusiastic staff and our approach aims to exploit the students' natural curiosity and concern about the major contemporary issues.  It is highly pupil-centred and focused very closely on the personal experiences of pupils and the relevance of the subject to their present and future lives. Geography helps to develop intellectual, practical and social skills for use within College, post A-Level and in future employment.

We believe that an understanding of diverse physical landscapes, extreme events, and human interactions within them is best experienced outside of the classroom – fieldwork is our greatest strength here at College. In the Lower Sixth alone our A Level geographers enjoy two residential trips (to the Yorkshire Dales at Easter and the Gower Peninsula in June), together with more local investigations of urban regeneration in Birmingham and coastal studies in Somerset.

Upper and Lower College geographers are members of active Societies that meet fortnightly for discussion, debate and a series of lectures from academics, explorers and geographers in the work place. They also have a chance to join forces with Economics and tackle an AS in World Development. Each year geographers of all ages enter independent extended essay competitions as well as the Royal Geographical Society "Young Geographer of the Year" competition.

Finally, the Geography Department is centrally located and recently refurbished with the well stocked Geography Library and computer suite. We have five large teaching rooms, including the Geography Map Room for A Level seminar teaching, Oxbridge support, interview preparation, mentoring of junior geographers and support clinics for all year groups.

Richard Penny, Head of Geography