Geography is a pretty unique subject because it looks at both the physical structure of the planet and the social structure (i.e. how we affect our environment and how it affects us) in the past, present and future. Geography graduates have some of the highest rates of graduate employment. Whilst studying geography, you will not only improve your knowledge and understanding of our subject but develop a range of skills that can be applied to other subjects and careers. Geography is great for any kind of career that involves the environment, planning or collecting and interpreting data. Popular careers for people with geography qualifications include: town or transport planning, surveying, conservation, sustainability, waste and water management, environmental planning, tourism and weather forecasting. The Army, Police, Government, research organisations, law and business world also love the practical research skills that geographers develop. Because geographers learn about human and population development, geography can be useful for jobs in charity and international relations too.

Paul White is Head of Geography and Travel & Tourism. He is qualified with a BA Honours in Geography and a PGCE. As a geographer Paul has a keen interest in the world we live in, locally, nationally and globally. He has a passion for travel; exploring new places both in the UK and around the world. Having studied Geography at university in Leeds he has spent most of his working career in Sussex. Paul believes Varndean is a great place for students to learn, and feels privileged to be leading and moving the Geography department forward as Head of Department.

Lloyd Durbin is a Geography Teacher and is qualified with a BA in Geography and a PGCE. Having lived for most of his adult life in the East End of London, Lloyd has a particular interest in the changing urban and social geography of cities, however his childhood on the Devon coastline has also fostered within him a keen interest in physical landscapes. Lloyd is proud to teach Geography at Varndean, and hopes that he can inspire students to be curious about the human and physical world, and how they interact! 

Steve Howlett is a Geography Teacher and is qualified with a BSc Honours in Geography and a PGCE. Steve is very interested in local geography - both physical and human and tries to bring this into his teaching every day to foster a genuine interest in the fantastic area in which we live. He has now taught at Varndean for 30 years, and is now teaching the children of students he taught at the start of his career! The Geography department is going through a very exciting developmental stage which he finds is making it a great place to work in.

Adam Michaels has been a Geography teacher for a number of years and is excited to begin his next chapter here at Varndean, having grown up and lived in and around Brighton for most of his life. A keen traveller, he has recently returned form an 8 month trip around South America. His other interests include a love of football and music.

Jessica Karlsson is a Faculty Department Assistant. She trained to teach in Sweden and holds a Master of Education with a Social Sciences specialism. She has always had a keen interest in Geography and believes the great teachers in the Geography department are equipped to foster a similar passion in the next generation of students. 

The Geography department run a number of extra-curricular activities to both support and engage our students in their learning.

Study Support for GCSE: Daily in F9 from 3.15pm

The David Attenborough Geography Club: Weekly on a Friday in F10 from 3.15pm to 4.30pm

Along with the compulsory field trips for the exam board, we also run an annual GCSE residential trip to Iceland in October half term, and new this year we will have a residential trip to Snowdonia in the Spring. We also have an annual ‘Great Geography Bake Off’ competition in February where students create and decorate a Geographical themed cake, which is kindly judged by Choccywoccydoodah in Brighton.