Geography

Encouraging practical enquiry skills that underpin knowledge and understanding of geography.

Geography is an academically robust subject which spans the social and physical sciences and promotes a lifelong interest and fascination in how the world works. A Level Geography is recognised by the Russell Group of universities as a ‘facilitating subject’ supporting applications for a range of undergraduate courses.

Studying Geography helps us to understand many of the issues we face locally, nationally and globally, such as how we respond to the impact of climate change, how to prepare for natural hazards, or how we address inequality. Geographical research informs debate and helps us navigate through the world’s geographically complex people, places and environments.

Geography is taught as a core subject in the Lower School using our own resources and booklets covering topics such as map skills, the UK, rivers and flooding, coasts, weather, crime, population and resources. Extensive use is made of technology to support learning.

Geography at GCSE is a popular option with typically four or five sets in each year group and results are strong. For A Level, the teaching is broadly divided into human and physical topics and students regularly go on to win places to study Geography at some of the top universities in the country including Cambridge, Durham, Exeter, Manchester, Southampton and St Andrews.

Fieldwork is a compulsory element for both GCSE and A Level. Recent trips have included a wide range of destinations including Brixton, Camber sand dunes, Norway (Sixth Form), Iceland (Third to Fifth Forms) and many local trips exploring features and developments in and around London and the South East.

RGS is the first school in the country to be awarded the Met Office Metmark for quality of weather teaching. We have weather stations on the main school site and at our Hartswood playing fields, please visit the school’s weather site for the latest updates.

Other opportunities beyond the curriculum include GeogSoc, a fortnightly meeting open to all students and covering topical debate and issues. Recent offerings from Sixth Formers and occasional outside speakers have included ethical sourcing of food, sustainable urban architecture and the spread of Covid-19. We were also fortunate to welcome Tim Marshall, author of Prisoners of Geography, to give a talk on Divided; why we are living in an age of walls.2020.08

Please take a look at the Sixth Form pages for details of our A Level Geography course and follow our Twitter feed (@GeographyRGS) for the latest updates