Specialist School

 Mathematics and Physics

Thornhill College Girls' Grammar School
Adveniat Regnum Tuum

"Educating concerned, informed, adaptable members of the world community"

Thornhill College, Culmore Road, Derry

Introduction

Geography is an integral part of the curriculum at Thornhill College at all Key Stages. The aim of the Geography Department is to provide stimulating and varied learning experiences that allow pupils to develop a real appreciation of the World around them.
 

Specifically our programmes of study aim:

• to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of people, places and processes in the world, both locally and beyond;

• to provide pupils with opportunities to develop their practical, analytical, numerical and communication skills;

• to develop the pupils' ability to present, analyse and interpret information from primary and secondary sources;

• to use ICT and other tools to enhance learning.

KS3 Geography

All pupils study Geography in Years 8, 9 and 10. Our KS3 Programme provides varied and interesting learning experiences under the following headings:

• Geographical Skills (mapwork, research, data handling, presentation and communication skills);

• Geographical Themes (Rocks and Processes of Landscape Development, Weather and Climate, Ecosystems, Population, Settlement, Economic Activities);

• Places and Locational Knowledge (Ireland – the counties, main towns, rivers, loughs and mountains; the capital cities of England, Scotland and Wales; the member states and capital cities of the European Union; the continents and oceans and major lines of latitude and longitude of the world.;

• Issues (Environmental Issues; World Development Issues);

• Contribution to Educational Themes (ICT, Careers, Cultural Heritage, Health
  Education, Economic Awareness).

A-level Geography

• A-level Geography students develop a deeper understanding of the interrelationships between humans and the environment, and of the opportunities, challenges and constraints that people face.

• They learn about the dynamic nature of geography; how places, environments and issues change, and how people respond to these changes.

• They appreciate how decisions are made about the use and management of resources and environments, and understand the significance and effects of peoples’ values and attitudes in geographical issue.

• The course also allows students to develop their powers of reasoning and analysis, to acquire practical, fieldwork research and data handling skills. The two years study is organised as follows:

ICT in Geography

A wide range of new technology is used by the Geography Department at all key stages to enhance learning and the overall pupil experience. The pupils are given many opportunities to research information, create presentations, analyse data, and record findings using a number of different processing environments and software applications.

AS Geography
There are three compulsory modules in Year 13 which make up AS Geography. These are:

• Unit 1 - Themes in Physical Geography

• Unit 2 -Themes in Human Geography

• Unit 3 - Techniques in Geography

Each of these three modules is assessed by a written examination.

A2 Geography
There are three compulsory modules in Year 14 which make up A2 Geography. These are:

• Unit 4 - Physical Processes and Human Interactions

• Unit 5 - Processes and Issues in Human Geography

• Unit 6 - Skills and Decision Making in Geography

Each of these three modules is assessed by a written examination.