Geography
Introduction
Geography at the Pilgrim School aims to be a great adventure with a purpose. As Michael Palin, former President of the Royal Geographical Society says,
“Geography is not only up-to-date and relevant, it is one of the most exciting, adventurous and valuable subjects to study today. So many of the world's current problems boil down to geography, and need the geographers of the future to help us understand them. Global warming, sustainable food production, natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, the spread of disease, the reasons for migration and the future of energy resources are just some of the great challenges facing the next generation of geographers”.
Through the development of locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography, geographical skills and fieldwork the Department seeks to broaden our pupils’ understanding of the physical, human and environmental world and of the impact of humans on the planet. The substantive and disciplinary knowledge within geography at Pilgrim aims to contribute to the delivery of the Hope curriculum and to support the school in its delivery of fundamental British values.
Geography and Hope
Pupils are introduced to Geography Hopeful Heroes such as David Attenborough who have shown deeply caring and nurturing love for the natural world through their actions (storge). The study of geography facilitates an appreciation of the connections between people and their environment, and enables students to develop their own ‘sense of place’ which can be important in establishing feelings of security, safety and well-being. The geography curriculum highlights inequalities and differences between different economies and explores the causes and possible consequences for humanity of this inequity. The subject therefore contributes to our pupils’ awareness of connections between peoples and places (ubuntu) and aims to create good will and beautiful thinking (eunoia) in their future lives.
Fundamental British Values (FBV)
During Key Stages 3 and 4 there are many topics that contribute to our pupils’ developing understanding of FBV. For example, during the Africa schema, pupils can compare the UK and Kenya and note the similarities and differences of their culture and values. The need for tolerance and mutual respect is shown often during the geography course, especially within the topics of Asia and the Middle East and the importance of awareness of different cultures and religions. Pupils also consider the impact of governments and policy makers and the ‘rule of the law’, when they begin to study climate change in more depth. Overall, geography at Pilgrim aims to strengthen a pupils’ understanding of the world and others within it.
Goal
Example Schema
Pathways
KS3
We follow a three-year programme and study geography in a series of enquiry units that are mapped to ensure coverage of the key concepts in Geography. We aim to enable our students to know what it is to ‘think like Geographers’ and to engage and enthuse the students.
GCSE Geography is not offered directly by the Pilgrim School, but can be supported in collaboration with a pupil’s mainstream school.
Agency
Studying geography can lead on to some exciting career options, including:
- Architectural Technologist
- Business Analyst
- Cartographer
- Data Analyst
- Environmental Consultant
- Geographical Information Systems Officer
- Marketing Executive
- Secondary School Teacher
- Social Researcher
- Town Planner