Geography Department

The Geography Department at Windsor School has a long history of success. Although part of the humanities faculty, Geography has its own unique place within the school’s curriculum. We believe in progressive teaching ideas and regularly share good practice together in a close working environment. The department welcomes new initiatives and prides itself on its dynamism.

Geography is taught to all pupils in KS3 for two lessons a week. This year, however, we are piloting a new Year 7 Humanities approach to teaching and learning. In this way, pupils in Year 7 are taught combined Geography, History and RE. The subject maintains its popularity at KS4 with GCSE students. Here, it is taught for three lessons each week and covers the AQA syllabus, specification A. We teach both Human and Physical Geography topics and include a piece of coursework worth 25%. Recent GCSE results have seen the department above both the school and national averages for pupils with grades C and above.

The department functions from an excellent new building that is fully resourced for contemporary teaching and learning. We have four classrooms, each fitted with an interactive whiteboard facility, fully furnished with modern fittings. The staff have a resource/office area which links the department together.

Four specialist Geographers run the curriculum area. We meet regularly to discuss new ideas and evaluate teaching and learning practice in a positive and responsive manner. The department thrives on the teaching abilities and varied styles of each member but moves forward as a whole. Internal performance management feedback has highlighted staffing in the Geography Department as one of its main strengths.

The resources in the subject area are varied and effective. We use the interactive whiteboard with extensive map features to enhance the visual impact of the topic. They are used to present video footage and global images. Pupils also have the opportunity to present their own work and ideas using the interactive whiteboard as an aid. Each classroom has Internet access to provide the pupils with the instant, up-to-the-minute detail the subject needs. We also utilise the ICT resources at our disposal to record pupil attainment and highlight progress and tracking at department meetings.

Schemes of work are written in line with syllabus requirements but a guide to each unit of work also exists in KS3. We have a policy of continually assessing each topic which leads to improvements and updates on an on-going basis. At KS3 we include independent learning units on varied topics which include natural disasters, The Olympics and The World Cup. We use ICT as much as possible to enhance the experience of Geography the pupils have and incorporate modern texts in lessons. Actual geographical experience is very important to the ethos of the department. We aim to use field visits as much as we can in each year group. Year 8 visit Woodgate Valley to do a river study. Year 9 complete an environmental assessment at Leasowes Park and the Year 10 GCSE students visit Aston Science Park. In Year 11 we go to Bangor University for a residential field trip where we study upland river features and coastal issues.

The Geography Department at Windsor School is hard-working and innovative. We are committed to raising standards and providing pupils with the best learning opportunities possible.