Understanding the world as it was, as it is and as it will be
The study of geography enables people to make sense of the world in which they live. It seeks to appreciate and explain the similarities and differences between different places, from their landscapes to their peoples.
It also investigates how people and places change over time, synthesising the natural and the man-made to unlock real understanding of cause, effect and implication. Through an understanding of different perspectives, geography provides an essential ingredient in any decision-maker’s mix.
Department Overview
Geography is a very popular GCSE option at Eastbourne College. A significant proportion of pupils continue their study of the subject to A-level. A healthy number also choose to further their geographical studies at university.
The department seeks to unlock each child’s geographical potential, allowing them to appreciate the very topical nature of the syllabuses we study. We go outside the classroom, taking pupils into the field on local, national and international trips, all of which help bring learning to life.
Our Year 9 pupils have the opportunity of travelling down to the Cévennes region in the south of France.
GCSE pupils are required to undertake two days of fieldwork; one relating to sustainability in Eastbourne, the other looking at the range of coastal processes at Birling Gap and Eastbourne seafront.
A-level fieldwork has been bolstered with the introduction of the NEA (non-examined assessment), for which pupils complete four days of fieldwork at Nettlecombe Court Field Study Centre in Exmoor.
“Anybody who believes that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach flunked geography.”
Beyond the Classroom
The department seeks to offer the opportunity to visit different destinations over a three-year cycle so that pupils continuing their study of the subject at different levels would have the chance to encounter and enjoy a variety of people and places. All international trips are optional, and we seek to explore areas that offer excellent value for money. Our most recent trip sees pupils travel to Iceland in March 2018.
In June 2019, upper sixth geographers visited Nettlecombe Court in Exmoor to undertake fieldwork.
Year 11 geographers recently undertook a field trip to investigate Eastbourne Pier as a ‘honeypot’ site. Primary data was collected and skills were honed in preparation for GCSE controlled assessments.
