Geography Department Overview 

The Geography Department is part of the Humanities Faculty, alongside History and Religious Studies. The department consists of five experienced and committed teachers and is housed in a modern, well-resourced building that supports high-quality teaching and learning. 

The departmental team has a strong, collaborative ethos. Staff meet regularly, both formally and informally, to share good practice and ensure consistency in curriculum delivery. All members of the department are dedicated to providing a high-quality Geography education that enables students of all abilities to achieve their full potential. 

Geography is taught as a discrete subject in Years 7, 8 and 9, with a curriculum designed to develop progressive knowledge and transferable geographical skills. In Year 7, students focus on the geography of the UK and the local area. Year 8 builds on this foundation by exploring geography on a global scale. In Year 9, students investigate key global issues, including climate change, plastic pollution and the management of the global commons. 

Geography is a popular option at GCSE, with four classes currently in both Years 10 and 11. Next year, the department will expand to five GCSE classes in Year 10. Students follow the AQA specification and outcomes have been consistently strong. Since the introduction of the new GCSE specifications, Geography has typically achieved ALPS grades of 3, improving to an ALPS grade of 2 in 2025. 

Fieldwork is an integral part of the GCSE course. Students complete compulsory fieldwork requirements in Swanage and also visit Southampton to support their learning in the Urban Issues unit. In recent years, GCSE students have additionally had the opportunity to participate in a residential visit to Iceland, enriching their understanding of physical geography and environmental change. 

At A level, the department currently has two classes in Year 12 and one class in Year 13, with numbers set to increase to two Year 12 classes next year. Students follow the AQA specification and benefit from specialist teaching, with dedicated human and physical geographers delivering the course. Progress at A level is strong, and many students go on to study Geography or related subjects at university. 

 This role could potentially incorporate some A-Level Economics for a suitable qualified and enthusiastic colleague.