King Edward VI Shakespeare's School | Stratford-upon-Avon

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We aim to stimulate our students’ curiosity, teaching them to appreciate the changing world around and to respect, and empathise with, different cultures.

Geography is constantly changing and highly relevant, making it a challenging and stimulating subject. This is not lost on the students here at K.E.S. and makes Geography a most popular and successful Humanities subject. The subject is usually the largest option at GCSE and one of the largest subjects at A Level in the School.

From the first year the curriculum has been designed to create a solid foundation of knowledge and skills from which to explore and debate a wide variety of geographical topics. Students are encouraged to participate actively in class discussions, express their own opinions and support their views with reasoned arguments. AQA is the examining board for GCSE and Eduqas for A Level. The department sets high expectations, encourages self-evaluation and employs a range of assessment methods. Independent learning and self-management is encouraged. Teachers offer supportive feedback and discussions so students can track their own progress and set targets. Classroom activities are varied, frequently involving group work and student presentations. Open-ended activities allow gifted and talented students to excel and be challenged.

The department is well resourced and there is a Moodle course for each Key Stage Three Year Group and each individual GCSE and A Level unit, encouraging the students to undertake independent reading and wider research. Learning outside the classroom is a vital part of Geography. Fieldwork, trips and visits are organised for each Key Stage. Two residential fieldtrips occur annually – the trip to The Azores or Iceland [GCSE and above] and the Sixth Form trip to the Cranedale Field Studies Centre in North Yorkshire.