We aim to excite, inspire curiosity and fascination about the world, and its people whilst developing an understanding of Human and Physical Geographical processes which shape our planet.
A high-quality geography education should inspire in students a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We aim to equip students with the knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
Geography is not only up-to-date and relevant, it is one of the most exciting, adventurous and valuable subjects to study today. So many of the world's current problems boil down to geography, and need the geographers of the future to help us understand them.
MICHAEL PALIN, CBE
(ACTOR AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY)
Please also see the Varndean Geography google website for lots more information on this subject.
Varndean Geography google website
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.
In Geography we study the following:
Year 7
Geographical Skills, Amazing Places, Climate & Ecosystems, Africa, Coastal Process & Landscape, Glaciation.
Year 8
Rivers, Populations, Our Restless Earth, Geography of Crime, GCSE Prep.
Year 9 Onwards - GCSE
Students follow the new Edexcel B GCSE Geography 9-1 specification, covering the following topics: Hazardous Earth, Development Dynamics, Challenges of an Urbanising World, The UK's Evolving Physical Landscape, The UK's Evolving Human Landscape, Geographical Investigations (which includes 2 statutory fieldwork investigations: An Urban study of Brighton, and a Coastal study along the Sussex Coast), People and the Biosphere, Forests under Threat, Consuming Energy Resources.
The course is examined with three terminal examinations at the end of Year 11.
Kate Barnes is Head of Geography.
Alex Bishop is a Geography teacher.
Alida Browne is a Geography Teacher.
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.
The Geography department run a number of extra-curricular activities to both support and engage our students in their learning.
Year 11 Intervention Sessions: 8am on Tuesdays.
Young Geographer of the Year: Mondays in September and October.
Along with the compulsory field trips for the exam board, we also run an annual GCSE residential trips. Previous trips have included The Azores, Sicily and Iceland and we have an upcoming trip to New York.
