Geography

It is very important to us that current events and contemporary issues form a strong element of the units taught at all levels.

Geography is taught to all pupils up to the end of Year 9. Topics aim to give pupils a broad knowledge and understanding of the world around them at local, national and international scales. In the Lower School, we provide pupils with a wide-ranging account of geographical processes and issues.

In Year 7 girls focus on map skills, weather and climate, climate change, the local area and the UK. In Year 8 studies include plate tectonics, conflict, Brazil and the coast. Year 9’s evaluate the positive and negative impacts of tourism, development issues based on the Factfulness book and Gapminder website, superpowers and amazing places under threat.

GCSE

GCSE pupils follow the OCR B GCSE Syllabus, Geography for Enquiring Minds. We believe this specification allows our teachers to bring the subject to life and inspire our pupils to achieve more. We aim to encourage pupils to become responsible for their own learning, confident in discussing ideas, to be innovative and engaged. Pupils develop excellent analytical skills and learn how to carry out a scientific investigation whilst taking part in geography fieldwork. To this end a residential fieldtrip to Margam in South Wales, forms an exciting part of the course.

Topics include global hazards, urban futures, changing climate, sustainable ecosystems and resource reliance as well as fieldwork skills. The curriculum deals with a fascinating range of contemporary issues and improves pupils' ability to understand the world around them.  

A Level

A Level Geography, and the world we study, is ever-changing. The Edexcel A Level qualification focuses on physical processes and human actions which shape the world around us and fosters an understanding of what could impact its future.

The Edexcel A Level Geography specification offers an issues-based approach to studying geography, enabling students to explore and evaluate contemporary geographical questions and issues such as the consequences of globalisation, responses to hazards, water insecurity and climate change. Studying Geography at Badminton School is a distinctive and memorable experience, as pupils from around the world contribute their knowledge, first-hand.

An Independent Investigation starts in the Summer Term of Lower Sixth, incorporating fieldwork data and may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the specification. Previous investigations have related to urban regeneration in places such as Luxemburg, Hong Kong and London, as well as studies of coastal management in places such as Dorset, Miami and Somerset.

Trips are planned to develop fieldwork techniques and to reinforce content taught in class. Previous trips have included investigating coastal processes and change at Swanage and Lulworth Cove in Dorset, and the other examining the success of the regeneration in Bedminster and at Wapping Wharf in Bristol.