Geography at St John'sWhat is Geography?Geography explores the relationship between the earth and its peoples. It studies the location of the physical and human features of the earth and the processes, systems and inter relationships that create and influence them. The character of places, the subject's central focus, derives from the interaction of people and environments.Pre Prep GeographyAs with all subjects, we aim to make Geography interesting and fun in the Pre Prep Department. Children of the youngest age are naturally inquisitive about the world in which they live and we guide them in their discoveries.As they progress through the Department our young pupils build on their awareness and understanding of their environment. We look at our immediate local area and the wider world. They are encouraged to ask and answer geographical questions,
to make observations and to begin to use geographical words and terms. Maps and the globe always fascinate children.
The Early Years Unit this term is following the topic "Ourselves". They have discussed where they live, where they come to school and where they have been on holiday. They have explored the immediate school environment as well as travelling a little further afield. They have enjoyed visits so far to the beach, to the park to feed the ducks and to the playground at Newton. Last week's letter of the week was "L" and so a visit to Porthcawl sea front to see the "L for Lighthouse" was a must! Year 1 are studying the topic "Homes" and are looking forward to a visit from a gap student who is going to tell them about homes in an African Village. They recently visited St Fagan's Museum of Welsh Life to look at the various houses.
Year 2 has been busy learning about the globe and locating the UK. They have discovered that we live in the northern hemisphere and they understand why we have night and day. They have followed this by starting to learn about the world map. They can now locate some of the continents and oceans. They are also learning about the difference between drawings and plans and have begun to make their own simple plans of the School grounds. Year 3 have been building on their knowledge and understanding of the UK map, locating the countries, capital cities and some of the seas and channels.
They have also begun to learn about settlements and will be finding out about 4 other children who live in contrasting settlements in the UK, (a farm, village, town and city) and comparing this with where they live.
During our preparations for the Harvest Festival, held at St John's Church, pupils learnt about the seasons and where our food comes from. They were encouraged to consider the plight of children in other parts of the World where food and water may be in short supply. The environment is an important part of Geography. Pupils begin to broaden their awareness and understanding of environmental issues. Pupils are encouraged to care for our own school environment, not to drop litter or damage plants or trees. We have also begun to save paper for recycling. St John's pupils are fortunate to have attractive school grounds with fields, trees and plenty of space to play. Located close to the Glamorgan Heritage Coastline we are ideally placed for children to enjoy their study of local Geography. Prep & Senior Geography
Geography forms one of the foundation subjects studied by all pupils at St John's. Geography helps pupils to make sense of their surroundings and to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the variety of physical and human conditions on the earth's surface.
We are privileged to be in a special geographical location and we take advantage of the opportunities on our doorstep with field trips for all age level to explore the Heritage Coastline, the Hepste/Mellte River Valleys and the Brecon Beacons. The opportunity exists for pupils to further enhance their geographical experience by attending the many Outdoor Pursuit activities which cover the whole of Wales and the department has close links with various outside agencies eg the Porthcawl Civic Trust, the National Museum and Gallery, the Chartered Institute of Transport and Bloomberg. Maps, atlases and globes are the fundamental tools of the geographer and are much in evidence in every room in which geographical work takes place. Mapwork is not taught in isolation, but integrated throughout the curriculum as the basis for many geographical investigations. Maps are the most effective medium for recording, analysing and communicating information about places. Geography is a compulsory foundation subject studied by all pupils at St John's. Presently, curriculum time devoted to Geography is: Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2 - 4.45%
Key Stage 3 - 6.67%
Key Stage 4 - 8.89%
Aims
At St John's School the Geography Department aims to:
Stimulate pupil's interest in their surroundings and in the variety of physical and human conditions on the Earth's surface Foster their sense of wonder at the beauty of the world around them Help them to develop an informed concern about the quality of the environment and the future of the human habitat; and Thereby enhance their sense of responsibility for core of the Earth and its peoples. The aims are extended to include those objectives listed in the "Aiming for Excellence in Geography" Document. "Standards and Quality" in Primary Schools (2000) ie Years 4, 5 & 6. Furthermore "Good Practice in Geography" (2001). "Standards and Quality" in Secondary Schools is also a document to which we at St John's believe that we are closely in tune with in Years 7-11. Cross Curricular LinksWe aim in the Geography Department to link closely with other subject areas throughout the School:Links with Language and Literature Literature set in different countries and cultures will help children to develop a sense of place/ Links with History There are natural links between sections of the programme of study in geography and many of the study units in history. Themes in human geography overlap with historical themes, industrialisation, agriculture, settlement, migration, urbanisation, transport and population. Links with Science Much enquiry in Geography is similar to scientific investigation, involving hypothesising, observation, recording and interpretation. Links with Mathematics How pupils use mathematical skills in Geography can depend on their competence in handling numbers and their understanding of relationships. Many key concepts are shared by Geography and Mathematics: distance, height, network, direction, gradient, shape, area, node, size, density, link and scale. A Welsh Perspective
The study of Geography will help to provide pupils with a balance perspective in developing a "sense of place". I t will encourage them to explore their own identity in relation to the community within which they live, and the wider community of Wales; and the relationship between Wales and the rest of the UK,
and Wales and the global community. It will enable them to identify the contrasts between communities within Wales.
Special focus on a Welsh perspective at St John's is made in Year 9 and this focus provides excellent preparation of GCSE study in the following two years. The study of 'Welsh Geography' occurs throughout the St John's School Geography Curriculum across each key stage of study. Fieldwork at St John'sThe term 'fieldwork' encompasses all geographical work done outside the classroom. Fieldwork in geography is the equivalent of practical laboratory work in science. It is part of the curriculum to which pupils are entitled. It is regular, purposeful and integrated into the geographical schemes of work at St John's with careful preparation and follow up activities in the classroom.Geography pupils are fortunate at St John's in that places of variety of geographical form may be experience at first hand. A significant emphasis of fieldwork is often developing a 'sense of place' in pupils.
While carrying out fieldwork, pupils are reminded by staff to respect fully the Country Code. An effective message is: "Take nothing but photographs. Leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time." Key Objectives to Geographical Fieldwork
Geography coursework at GCSE is worth 25% of the final mark. The Geography handbook contains a full breakdown of the sort of trips that the different ages will go on. Generally the Y10 fieldtrips are booked up in advance for the summer term, in preparation for their partial project write-up during the summer holidays. Also at this time of year there is minimal disruption to other lessons, Year 11 have departed or are in the middle of their exams and my timetable is lighter. During normal term time fieldtrips for younger classes usually take place during lesson time (double periods) and / or stretch across a break time or lunchtime. Hence there should be no disruption to any other classes or teachers. The fieldtrips are local and a minibus is usually made available. The trip will always coincide with the particular topic being covered by the class concerned. These trips are not booked up in advance because there are so many other factors to consider eg, the progress of the class, the weather, the tides and other school events. Fieldwork / Field Visits - Schedule
Keystage 2
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Keystage 1
