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    • Academic

    Geography

    Introduction to the Department:

    Geography is a rigorous academic discipline that develops students’ ability to develop geographical skills, analyse and interpret evidence, gain an understanding of geopolitical relationships and substantiated arguments. Through critical thinking and enquiry, students learn to understand the human and natural world around them.

    The geography curriculum aims to develop students’ core geographical skills and an understanding of the world around them. Through carefully sequenced lessons, students develop key geographical skills at Key Stage 3, which then progress towards more complex analysis of data and the geopolitical world. Pupils gain secure geographical knowledge and understanding, critical thinking skills, and the ability to evaluate evidence and differing interpretations. Pupils become confident in their understanding of global issues and how they can be impacted by human actions. Students often take undergraduate courses within the field of geography, such as Human and/or Physical Geography, Marine Geography, Environmental Geoscience, or Earth Science. However, the skills and qualities developed through studying geography are highly transferable into a wide range of roles and different working environments.

    Extra and Super-curricular

    The Geography Society is run by Sixth Form geographers who organise: weekly Geography Club activities; house quizzes and guest speakers, who regularly visit the department to discuss topics relevant to the A level Geography course.

    Sixth form geographers travelled to Iceland in 2025 and Italy in 2026, focusing on tectonic hazards, coastal landforms and the impacts of tourism in both locations.

    Recommended reading list:

    Human Geography

    • Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
    • FactFullness by Hans Rosling
    • The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
    • The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas Friedman
    • Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo
    • The Almighty Dollar by Dharshini David
    • 50 things that made the modern economy by Tim Harford
    • Inequality and the 1% by Danny Dorling
    • Population 9 Billion by Danny Dorling
    • Divided: Why We're Living in an Age of Walls by Tim Marshall

    Physical Geography

    • Plate Tectonics Stewart, Iain (22 March 2018).
    • Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth by James Lovelock
    • Coastal Systems by Simon Haslett
    • The Holocene: An Environmental History by Neil Roberts
    • Living Earth: Outline of the Geology of Iceland by Ari Trausti Guðmundsson
    • Eruptions that shook the world by Clive Oppenheimer,
    • Let There Be Water : Israel's Solution for a Water-Starved World by Sth M. Siegel
    • The shock of the Anthropocene by Christophe Bonneuil and Fressoz

    Learning by Key Stage:

    KS3 

    In year 7 and 8, students study a combination of human and physical Geography topics. We introduce and embed skills such as maps, fieldwork, data and written responses, which students will continue with and build upon to GCSE, A level and beyond. During year 7; maps, population and resources are the main themes. In year 8 students study coastal processes and landscapes, The Middle East region and tectonic hazards. The coasts unit includes a fieldwork visit to the South coast during the spring term.

    KS4 

    Students follow the WJEC Eduqas B (9-1) and start working towards this in year 9.

    The course adopts a distinctive problem-solving approach to the study of interactions between people and the environment. Pupils will develop skills of interpretation, analysis and evaluation when they collect primary data, and are presented with reported evidence and information, helping them to become critical learners as they consider the strengths and limitations of this data and evidence. At the same time pupils will consider the points of view of those who have a vested interest when they are affected by contentious geographical issues such as climate change or migration. Pupils will develop the skills to become informed and reflective citizens when they consider a range of viewpoints, values and attitudes which are held by stakeholders on a number of key geographical issues.

    Three broad themes are covered: Changing Places, Changing Environments, and Environmental Challenges.

    The content of the course is examined by three examination papers;

    • Component 1 – Investigating Geographical Issues has three structured data response questions. The final part of each question will require an extended response. These questions will directly test the content contained within each of the three themes.
    • Component 2 – Problem Solving Geography will assess content from across the themes using a variety of structured data response questions. Part A will introduce an issue and set the geographical context, part B will outline a number of possible solutions to the issue and part C will provide an opportunity for the candidates to choose a solution and justify their choice in an extended response.
    • Component 3 – Applied Fieldwork Enquiry has three parts which use a variety of structured data response questions, some of which require extended responses. Parts A and B will assess how fieldwork data is collected, presented, analysed, and used to investigate a specific geographical investigation. Part C will assess the application of broad geographical concepts to a wider UK context and assess the ability of the pupils to make and justify arguments.

    KS5 

    Students follow the Edexcel ‘A’ Level Geography specification.

    This specification encourages students to apply geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them, enabling them to develop a critical understanding of the world’s people, places and environments in the 21st century. The focus of the specification is to develop an enthusiasm for and competence in geography by using contemporary real-world contexts, from a range of specified spatial scales, and through engagement with and practical application of geographical skills and techniques in the field.

    The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Geography consists of three externally examined papers and one non-examination assessment component.

    Paper 1 Units:

    • Tectonic Processes and Hazards
    • Coastal Landscapes and Change
    • The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
    • The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

    Paper 2 Units:

    • Globalisation
    • Regenerating Places
    • Superpowers
    • Health, Human Rights and Intervention

    Paper 3: Synoptic Investigation

    Independent Investigation

    This is the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) that is integral to all A Level Geography courses. Students will devise their own investigation of a geographical question or issue at a local scale, collect data and present their findings in a written report.

    Staff

    Head of Department: Mr A Toner ajt@bishopwordsworths.org.uk

    Second in Department: Mrs F Jones fej@bishopwordsworths.org.uk

    Teachers:

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