Academic Departments

Geography

Geography develops our students into responsible future leaders; it is the medium through which young people emerge with a full range of essential life skills. These include enhanced literacy, immaculate numeracy and an analytical mind. It breeds tolerance of people and cultures, a perspective of time and space, an appreciation of the environment, a respect for the past, the ability to evaluate the present, confidence in decision-making, planning and predicting the future. Geography provides a coherent body of thought provoking knowledge. It rewards those most willing to learn.

A Level:

In the Upper Sixth Form pupils study, AQA specification A:

Unit 4:Challenge and Change in the Natural Environment

• Coasts - Processes and Problems
• Geomorphological Processes and Hazards or Cold Environments

Unit 5: Challenge and Change in the Human Environment

• Population Pressure and Resource Management
• Recreation and Tourism

Unit 6: Fieldwork Investigation

This involves a personal investigation of approximately 4000 words assessed and marked by the exam board. This can be on any aspect of the specification, containing a spatial element and preferably in the local area. This is completed by the January of the final year.

AS Level:

In the Lower SIxth Form pupils study AS Geography, AQA specification A,  assessed via 3 one hour exams:

Unit 1: Core Concepts in Physical Geography 

• Water on the Land
• Climatic Hazards and Change
• Energy and Life.

Unit 2: Core Concepts in Human Geography

• Population Dynamics
• Settlement Processes and Patterns
• Economic Activity

Unit 3: Geographical Skills

GCSE:

Pupils follow the AQA Syllabus A.

This is examined by two written examinations at the end of the second year course, which test knowledge, understanding and skills. Pupils also undertake a fieldwork component, which should not exceed 3000 words and carries 25% of the total marks.

The main topics covered are Rivers, Coasts, Tectonics, Population, Industry and Managing Resources. The coursework topic has for the last few years, been an evaluation of a stretch of coastline between Herne Bay and Reculver.

 

Head of Department:

Andrew Bee BSc

Departmental Staff:

Mary Hall BEd

Adrian Wyles BSc, MEd

David Sansom BSc

Phil Smith BA

 

 

Sutton Valence School,
Maidstone, Kent ME17 3HL
Tel: 01622 845200
Fax: 01622 844103
enquiries@svs.org.uk

Sutton Valence Preparatory School, Chart Sutton, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3RF
Tel: 01622 842117
Fax: 01622 844201
enquiries@svprep.svs.org.uk