Geography is a subject that is relevant today and in the future.  It addresses issues as diverse as climate change, world population, living sustainably and the future of urban development.  It teaches students to think outside the box, to analyse, investigate and apply rigour to problems. It sits between the sciences and the arts and gives students a broad perspective on the world and the problems it faces.  It is looked on well by institutions of further and higher education, as well as employers. Students who study Geography generally increase their life opportunities. Geographers go on into many career paths from town planning to engineering, from transport to medical research.  It is a challenging subject as it asks students to think independently and critically analyse information, as well as understand complex interactions in the physical and human world. For those students who choose to study it and work hard, it is very rewarding.

We have a committed team of friendly and supportive staff in Geography who work hard to support students in achieving their very best.  We set high standards and expectations, and we expect the same from our students.  Our examination results have steadily improved over the past few years, and it continues to be a popular option at GCSE and A Level.  

Here at Astley Cooper, we strive to ensure that all learners are given the opportunity to reach their full potential, both in and out of the classroom, to enhance their learning.  We regularly allow students the opportunity to experience fieldwork on and off the school site at all Key Stages; however, we are looking to expand the range of fieldwork opportunities at Key Stage 3.

GCSE Geography

We currently offer the Edexcel A GCSE Geography course at Key Stage 4, where students will learn about the Physical and Human Environment. There is also an essential fieldwork element to the course, where students have the opportunity to participate in 2 days of fieldwork as part of their course. Since 2023, we have visited Brighton to study the effect of waves on beach profiles. We have also been to Brick Lane in the East End of London, to record changes in environmental quality. Both days allow students to practice the necessary fieldwork skills in preparation for their examinations at the end of year 11, as well as bringing the theoretical elements of the course to life by seeing them in a real world setting. 

A Level Geography

At Key Stage 5, students follow the AQA A Level Geography specification, which builds on GCSE knowledge of physical and human geography. As part of the course, students plan, conduct data collection and write up coursework based on their own research. To prepare for this, 4 days of geographical fieldwork are offered to introduce students to different data collection techniques and sampling strategies, so students can plan and write up their coursework effectively. In November 2023, Year 13 students conducted 2 human geography investigations, looking at the changing nature of Great Missenden and a day in Brick Lane to record changes in land use and environmental quality. They also carried out 2 physical geography investigations to Brighton to assess how changes in the physical landscape impact on tourism and to Epping Forest to assess the amount of carbon captured by the forest. Geography is still one of a handful of subjects that has fieldwork as an essential component of the course, as it is crucial for bringing together theoretical learning with real world patterns and processes.

The Astley Cooper School is pleased to offer Geography as a core component at KS3 and an option choice from GCSE to A level.

Subject Leader of Geography: Miss S Frame

Subject Leader of Humanities: Mrs R Waters