Geography

Geography is a thriving and successful subject at Torquay Boys' Grammar School and is taught across the full 11-18 age range.  Each teacher is encouraged to be creative and innovative in their practice and a wide range of teaching and learning styles are employed to ensure that lessons at every level are dynamic and relevant.  The department makes extensive use of the school's computer suites and we have an automatic weather station.

 

We are:

 

Mr P Evans MA FRGS - Department Head

Dr H Fyfe BA PhD - Subject mentor for Exeter PGCE students

Mr M Nelson BSc - Africa school twinning representative

Mr P Flynn MA - IB Geography leader

 

The teachers are all Geography specialists. The department is always keen to forge links with other subjects and develop cross-curricular activities and initiatives.  There are also strong links with the South Devon Geographical Association, which holds the World Wise Quiz and regular sixth form lectures at the school.  Plymouth and Exeter Universities provide further support for A level students, for example with GIS.  We also work with the Met Office in Exeter, and the Torbay GeoPark organisation.

 

At Key Stage 3, all students follow a challenging programme of study devised by the department and based on the Geog.123 series. Great importance is placed on developing an awareness of the world and investigating the environment, locally and globally. The lessons are varied, and designed to appeal to the interests of our students.

 

Year 7

Explore Britain

Food for Thought

Map skills

Weather & Climate

Settlement & Shopping

Polar Lands

Year 8

Torquay Coast

Development

Brazil

Rivers

Globalisation

 

Year 9

Tectonic hazards

Tropics

Health hazards

Crime

 

At GCSE, a good number of students opt to take AQA Geography, Spec A. Each boy is encouraged to reach his potential.  A carefully chosen mix of topics and teaching methods are used to achieve excellent results and a pleasing number of students continue to study the subject at AS and A Level.

 

Year 10

Ice on the Land

Changing Urban Environments

Population Change

The Coastal Zone

Year 11

Coursework

Globalisation

The Restless Earth

Revision

 

At A Level there are up to two large teaching groups in each of Years 12 and 13. Students follow the AQA Geography course. They find it stimulating, with most students gaining top grades and many going on to study related subjects at university, including Oxbridge.

 

AS themes

Rivers, floods and management

Cold environments

Population change

Health Issues

 

A2 themes

Plate tectonics and associated hazards

Weather and climate and associated hazards

World cities

Contemporary conflicts and challenges

 

At IB there is a good uptake for Geography.  The male and female students follow an exciting and stimulating course, with a strong emphasis on international and environmental involvement.

Core themes

Population, Resources, Development, Environment

 

Optional Themes

Freshwater issues and conflicts, Extreme environments, Hazards and disasters, Food and health

 

Higher level extension

Global interactions

 

During their time at Torquay Boys' Grammar School, all students have the opportunity to get involved with a variety of curriculum-enhancing trips. The Geography department has a strong tradition of field work, which is developed in each year.  This culminates in the A level residential trip to Snowdonia.  Every few years a trip to Iceland has been arranged.  In the sixth form, students attend a conference at Plymouth University.  We also encourage students to take part in a local model United Nations Assembly, where they develop the skills of presentation and negotiation in a high pressure environment.  We also receive occasional visits from professionals engaged in changing the world.