Geography
OVERVIEW
A-level Geography offers an engaging and contemporary approach, mixing traditional topics with real-world issues. Students critically engage with themes like geopolitics, climate change, and migration, developing a deeper understanding of our interconnected world.
OUR SYLLABUS
- Human Geography: Globalisation, Regenerating Places, Superpowers, Migration, Identity, and Sovereignty. Studying these topics allows pupils to truly understand the inter-connected world of the 21st Century, based in historical decision-making, technological advances and political relationships.
- Physical Geography: Tectonic Processes, Coastal Landscapes, Water and Carbon Cycles, Energy Security. Pupils gain an in-depth appreciation of the complex issues facing the planet and the role that humans have in managing these.
- Synoptic (applied geography paper) – a fabulous paper that allows pupils to apply the knowledge and understanding learned for papers 1 and 2.
- NEA Coursework: 20% of the final A-level grade – this study is based on fieldwork conducted in Swanage at the end of the Lower Sixth year.
WHY STUDY GEOGRAPHY?
Geography bridges the sciences and humanities, helping students understand the complex interactions between human and physical systems. It is a facilitating subject, valued for its breadth and interdisciplinary connections.
Geography demands time studying in the real world, and we therefore spend four days in Swanage for NEA research as well as local area studies in the Taunton area. Further afield, we run a regular trip to Iceland, enabling pupils to immerse themselves in tectonic and glacial geography.
Pupils have regular opportunities to hear from visiting experts, and to attend events such as the Geohazards conference at Plymouth University and a variety of RGS lectures at the University of Bristol. We also encourage pupils to participate in the RGS Young Geographer of the Year competition, and all Sixth Form geographers are members of the Wegener Society, our in-house geography society which explores global issues through lectures, films and discussions.
Geography is a robust academic subject that develops analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Bridging science and the humanities, it opens pathways to diverse careers in areas such as civil service, education, geoscience, politics, GIS analysis, and environmental consultancy. In addition, the soft skills learned as part of a geography degree are valued by employers in a wide range of fields.
