Shapwick School

Geography is an academic subject, yet even among students suffering acute dyslexia; it remains one of the most popular chosen subject in the school at GCSE. The basis of its popularity and ultimate academic success is the differentiation provided in the teaching to the students.

Self motivation, enthusiasm and a sense of humour are the criteria sought by the teacher. These traits combined deliver the academic attainment required for the student to progress, develop and be successful.

Geography is taught in classes not exceeding twelve students. It begins in Year 8 when Shapwick Prep students travel to Shapwick Senior for their lesson. The short journey across the Somerset levels provides an immediate opportunity for the students to observe their local environment. A field visit to Glastonbury Tor allows students to witness the changing land use from the Somerset levels into settlements and the Mendip Hills.

Additional field visits allow the students to witness monumentous landforms including gorge formation at Ebbwr and Cheddar, each by different cause. Ultimately, a visit to Bristol and the Avon Gorge provide a third breathtaking example of gorge formation and extends the study of land use into urban models. These are examples of how the ethos of the Geography department is to teach practically from the rich resources in the area; rather than the traditional text book approach.

Year 9 continues the study of Physical. Human and Environmental Geography. The study of map skills is extended into a study of the local town of Street. The students visit the town to identify the structures and zones on the ground and correlate them to the symbols on the map. The modern technique of GIS ( Geography Information Systems) is applied by the students as they build up map layering of information based on their learning. Other topics demand field visits, for example, a super quarry and caves when focusing on limestone landforms, commecial use and environmental impact.

Year 10 and 11 follow the Key Stage 4 Edexcel GCSE "A" syllabus. The structure of learning continues, choosing the options that allow study of the syllabus using local resources. For example, a day visit to the outstanding Castle Cary Environmental Centre to witness recycling, re-use and reducing and waste management in a practical, commercial and innovative way as a case study. A field visit to Weston-super Mare provides the knowledge and understanding required for Tourism. If a topic is not resourced locally, then as true Geographers they are sought out and visited. An expedition to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales provides the essential environment to study the impact of Glaciation. The River Washford on Exmoor provides the data for the GCSE coursework.

Attainment has been consistently high, boasting 97% A-C grade in 2008. Geography is also strongly linked across the curriculum, having previously organised a cross curricular overseas trip to Italy; visiting Rome, Pompei, Vesuvius and Capri.

The strongest link is to Outdoor Pursuits that is taught and promoted by the Geography teacher. Students are encouraged to develop skills in rock climbing, abseiling, mountaineering, orienteering and caving to travel safely in potentially hazardous environments. This combination can provide opportunities for recreation and employment.

Because of their experiences and qualification gained at Shapwick, students are continuing with their interest in Outdoor Pursuits by chosing the BTEC Outdoor Pursuits course at F.E. College; aiming to become an Outdoor Instructor. Alternatively, their interest remains recreational, joining Mountaineering & Climbing Clubs as a potential lifetime pastime.