Westholme School - Geography

Geography

Geography is the study of the earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live. Our Aims here at Westholme are to develop a sense of place and an understanding of relative location. For example, the origins and activities of the local community and its relationship to the rest of the world. To develop an awareness of the characteristics and distribution of a selection of contrasting physical and human environments, as well as an understanding of the processes which affect the development of environments. It hopes to give an insight into the relationships between people and the environment and how each affects the other and to comprehend the concept of sustainable development and so gain a more sensitive awareness of the environment. Geography hopes to foster a sympathetic understanding of some of the major issues of social concern such as poverty and population problems and to appreciate the attitudes and values which contribute to the processes involving people and the environment.

It teaches certain Geographical skills including: Practical skills such as map making, map reading, using an atlas, field sketching, model making . Intellectual skills such as interpretation and observation of maps and photographs, the selection of appropriate material in an enquiry .
The long term vision of the Geographers at Westholme is to: Foster a spirit of enquiry that goes beyond the curriculum , nurture links with other schools and departments locally, nationally and globally.

At KS3 Westholme geographers study varied and challenging units on everything from mapskills to rainforests, settlement to development, while developing practical skills and the ability to solve problems and express opinions.

Pupils also participate in activities beyond the curriculum. For example, in year 9, pupils have the opportunity to correspond, by letter or e-mail, with a Japanese pen pal. GCSE results are well above the national average, with 100% achieving A*-C grade and 80% gaining either a grade A or A* . At A-level we follow the AQA B specification that includes detailed exploration of a rich variety of human and physical Geography topics, such as the geography of crime and transmittable diseases (AIDS), hazards such as volcanoes and earthquakes, the causes of separatism and economic development in China.

Results at A-level are well above the national average. 100% of the pupils gained A-C grade, with 71% of the students gaining an A grade.

Pupils also have the opportunity to travel overseas including Beijing , Wuxi and Shanghai in China; Iceland and The Bay of Naples.

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Feb 8, 2012

Law Seminar

quiz night Alumni Careers Seminar