Geography
The world we live in is constantly changing. Geography allows us to see why and how it is changing and to make sense of the rapidly evolving world we live in.
The Academy Geography Department is based in three dedicated geography rooms on the top floor of the main building. There are three full-time and one part time teacher within the department and a classroom assistant. Monday and Friday afternoons are used for subject support with department meetings on Wednesday afternoons and staff training on Thursday.
Department Staff
| Name | Position |
| Mr J Cox | Head of Department |
| Mrs M Ditchburn | Teacher of Geography |
| Mr H Gatland | Teacher of Geography, KS3 Leader |
| Mr J Brown | Teacher of Geography |
| Ms S Deveraux | Classroom Assistant |
SYLLABUS
Key Stage 3
Currently during Key Stage 3, students investigate a wide range of people, places and environments at different scales around the world. They learn about geographical patterns and processes and how political, economic, social and environmental factors affect current geographical issues.
They also learn about how places and environments are interdependent. They carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. In doing this they identify geographical questions, collect and analyse written and statistical evidence and develop their own opinions. They use a wide range of geographical skills and resources such as maps, satellite images and ICT.
GCSE
GCSE students follow Edexcel Syllabus B over two years. Student’s complete four units, each with the same weighting (25% of the total GCSE). The three written examinations are at the end of the course in Year 11 with a Controlled Assessment (coursework) at the end of Year 10, which continues into Year 11.
Post 16
The Edexcel Geography course invites students to investigate and explore, in part through their own research, the key ideas and hot topics of our early 21st century world. This content, together with the development of high level skills and a 5-day residential field trip in the Isle of Wight, provides an excellent springboard for higher education or employment. For students who are curious about the World we live in, this is the course for them!
FUTURES
Many students combine geography successfully with science, arts or humanities subjects allowing for wide-ranging career opportunities. As care and management of the environment becomes an ever more important issue it is interesting to note that a significant number of students have gone on to pursue careers in this field.
Learning outside of the classroom
Field trips are an essential part of Geography and one of the most memorable parts of a student’s experiences of the subject at Macmillan. Students in every year experience at least one day of field work in every year. Whenever appropriate and possible, student will learn in the grounds of the Academy.
Learning outside of the classroom is a great experience and allows students to apply classroom learning in a real world context and to ‘see for themselves’, applying knowledge and understanding in a practical way.
Further details of the GCSE and GCE course can be found on the Edexcel website at www.edexcel.org.uk.
If you wish to contact me please email j.cox@macmillan-academy.org.uk or phone us at the Academy.
