Geography

Introduction

Geography enables students to explore the physical and human processes that shape our planet, fostering an appreciation for diverse environments and cultures. The study of Geography develops positive life-long attitudes of environmental stewardship, sustainability and global citizenship. 

Staff

Ms. C. MacLean, Geography (NQT)

Dr. V. Murray, Geography

Mrs. C. Sannachan, Geography 

Curriculum

In S1 and S2, you will study the human and physical geography of Japan and Brazil, including an examination of Japanese and Brazilian culture, population, urbanisation, the causes and impacts of climate change, life in the rainforest, weather and natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes. 

In S3 you will have chosen to specialise in Geography. You will continue to explore key concepts related to the physical world and the ways humans interact with the environment. 

In S4 you will study Geography under different topics at National 4 or National 5 level: 

Human Geography: Urban, Rural, Population 

  • Physical Geography: Weather, Coasts, Glaciation  
  • Global Geography: Climate Change & Health 

 Pupils will also plan, research and write-up an Assignment to demonstrate their fieldwork, data collection and analysis skills. This will involve a visit to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. 

 At Higher level, you will continue to deepen your knowledge of human and physical processes, as well as develop key geographical skills such as mapping. The topics studied as part of the Higher course are: 

 Human Geography: Urban, Rural, Population 

  • Physical Geography: Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere  
  • Global Geography: Climate Change, Development & Health 

Pupils in Higher will also produce an Assignment using data collected via a fieldwork visit to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. 

At Advanced Higher level, you will expand your understanding of complex global issues and geographical concepts. You will develop sophisticated research skills and will learn to evaluate the validity of authors and publications by questioning the bias and reliability of sources. Moreover, you will conduct personal fieldwork during a two-night stay on Arran to create your Assignment submission, which will include both human and physical data collection techniques. From here you will use statistical techniques to analyse your data and create maps and graphs to visually represent your findings. 

Learning Experiences

Pupils will experience Geography for one twelve-week block of learning in S1, led by a subject-specialist teacher, before rotating to History or Modern Studies. They will repeat this process in S2, after which they will have the option to further pursue their studies in Geography in S3/4 and beyond. 

At all stages of Geography, pupils can expect to work both independently and collaboratively in a wide range of contexts to develop key skills in the subject. These include: 

  • Case studies: In-depth exploration of specific regions, physical formations and natural processes. 
  • Debates: Discussing contemporary geographical issues. 
  • Fieldwork: Hands-on data collection and observation via fieldwork visits to local environments such as Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, followed by analysis and evaluation. 
  • Mapping and drawing exercises: Creating and interpreting various types of maps, annotated diagrams and sketches. 
  • Model-making: Creating visual representations of geographical concepts digitally or via scale models. 

Life and Work

Studying Geography can provide numerous benefits for your later life and career. Here are just some of the ways Geography can prepare you for life, work and learning: 

  • Data interpretation: Improves skills in reading maps, charts and graphs – valuable in many careers involving data analysis such as sales management, chartered accountancy and sports coaching. 
  • Environmental understanding: Provides knowledge about climate, ecosystems and natural resources, crucial for roles in sustainability, conservation and environmental management. 
  • Global perspective: Enhances understanding of different cultures and global interconnections, highly beneficial in international business, tourism and transport. 
  • Problem-solving skills: Teaches how to approach complex issues like urbanisation or resource management, applicable to various professional fields such as urban planning and logistics. Geography also fosters teamwork and adaptability, as fieldwork often requires collaboration and flexibility in response to real-world challenges and unexpected situations. 
  • Discover the wild: Deepens appreciation for the natural world and outdoor environments. The hands-on experience of fieldwork often cultivates a lifelong interest in exploring diverse landscapes, potentially leading to increased personal enjoyment of outdoor activities and a greater sense of connection to nature. 

Resources

All classroom resources will be posted on Google Classroom, from S1–S6. This includes PowerPoints, pupil work booklets, revision notes, video clips and links to external sites. 

SQA Geography – Links to past papers, course specifications and Understanding Standards can be found here: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45768.html  

BBC Bitesize – Useful revision tool for exploring key areas of knowledge pertinent to the course: