Download the geography department - Simon Langton Grammar School For Boys

Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, Canterbury
THE GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
Head of Department: Mrs H Quenby
The Geography Department at The Langton is well qualified, vibrant and demonstrates a
commitment to the highest levels of teaching and learning. There are two well qualified full-time
geographers, and two non-subject specialists who deliver the curriculum. Geography is taught
throughout KS3 as an independent subject and in contrast to the national trend the take up of
Geography at KS4 and 5 is relatively stable with about 150 students studying at KS4 and over 80
students at KS5. There are usually 3 teaching groups in each of the KS4 years and two each in Year
12 and Year 13. This year 31 students are studying the subject at AS and 39 at A2, with
approximately an 80% retention rate from AS to A2. We have a reputation for delivering a strong
performance in public examinations and for offering timely and successful intervention to support
students’ learning.
There is a strong commitment to the enquiry approach to learning and to fieldwork, consequently
the students are encouraged to develop independent learning skills throughout all key stages.
Teaching Geography dynamically with an emphasis on topicality is a key feature of the departmental
teaching and learning strategy and for this reason the Edexcel B specification is followed at GCSE
which provides an excellent foundation for the Edexcel GCE specification studied at A level. These
specifications have a strong fieldwork and research focus which enhance the geographical
experience for the student.
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic graduate with excellent subject knowledge. The teacher
appointed will be someone who can communicate an enthusiasm for the subject to the students and
who is a committed to innovation and to the further development of good practice in teaching
Geography. The successful candidate will be able to develop the programme of fieldwork and extra curricular visits offered by the department. A willingness to be to be trained as a minibus driver and
to participate in visits to the school’s cottage in North Wales would be advantageous.
This is a unique opportunity for a well-qualified and energetic teacher to develop his or her career in
a supportive, professional and forward thinking school which has a national reputation for high
academic standards and curriculum innovation.
The Curriculum
‘There has never been a better or more important time to study Geography. With growing interest in
issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion,
Geography is one of the most relevant courses you could choose to study. Geographers are also
highly employable.’ Dr Rita Gardner, Director of the Royal Geographical Society
Those who study Geography acquire broad skills and experiences. Geography is a flexible subject and
can be combined well with the sciences, humanities and creative subjects.
GCSE
At GCSE the core areas of study encompass both physical and human geography and include:
tectonics, climate change, biodiversity, coastal change and conflict, globalisation, development and
the changing economy of the UK. With comprehensive support from the department, GCSE students
will undertake coastal fieldwork Year 10, and urban fieldwork in Y11 in preparation for the new style
GCSE examinations.
AS/A2
This contemporary course Geography course has been developed in consultation with the
Geographical Association, Royal Geographical Society and leading HE institutions.
Although desirable, it is not essential for A Level students to have studied GCSE Geography, as the
department has an extremely successful record with students who are extending their GCSE studies
and those who wish to return to the subject at this stage. Topics studied for the new A Level include:
tectonic hazards, coastal and glaciated landscapes, globalisation, rebranding, superpowers, energy
and water insecurity. They will also have to complete a fieldwork based individual investigation.
Currently we are offering 4 local days of fieldwork to supplement understanding of topics and to
allow students to carry out their individual investigation in a local area (allowing for further data
collection if needed.) Previously students in year 12 were taken on a residential fieldwork trip to
Cevennes, France which is no longer possible, but we are looking to implement a new optional
residential visit abroad over the next year to replace this.
After The Langton
Many students go on to study Geography and related subjects at university, and the Geography
department wants all of those studying Geography to explore the wide possibilities the subject has
to offer. Students have previously had the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular research
projects including an ecology project with Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities, and a climate
project with Nottingham University.
There is an active Geography Society organising extra-curricular lectures, events, trips and research
to extend the Geography provision beyond the A-level course.
The nature of the discipline, combined with the training Geography students receive at university,
makes graduate Geographers highly employable. Geography graduates go on to diverse careers,
using direct geographical knowledge or transferable skills including: law, financial sector, marketing,
industry, management, environmental consultancy, development, tourism, conservation, planning
and academic research.