Geography

Geography is the only academic discipline to pursue an understanding of mankind's place in the physical environment and, as such, the remit of the geographer is wide. On the one hand, for example, he might impinge on the territory of the astrophysicist, analysing the influence of cycles in the orbit of the earth on climatic change while, on the other, he might trespass on the stamping ground of the economist and the politician, analysing patterns of inner urban deprivation.

In no other subject is such diversity encountered and the breadth of experience gained by candidates at GCSE, A Level and degree level equips them for life.

Not only does such unparalleled diversity inform, there is a skills bonus too. Geography graduates are literate (they write essays and dissertations), they are numerate (they carry out statistical analysis) and have good computer skills. In addition, field trips bring the subject to life and add a social dimension to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. As such, a geographical education is second to none.

The Facilities

The Geography Department consists of 5 spacious classrooms on the third floor of the main school buildings; all classrooms have whiteboard projectors. On the same corridor there is a resources office with numerous computers for student use, as well as a comprehensive range of academic journals, text books and geographical magazines to which students have access.

Staff

There are 5 full time members of the department and one teacher who shares his time between Biology and Geography.

• Full staff list

Beyond the Classroom

Few subjects offer greater potential for out of classroom and internet research based learning than Geography. For our first year boys we run an annual trip to the Ardèche, a limestone region north of Marseille in France (with girls from Kent College, Pembury). They learn about the impacts the rock type has on landscape and human activity, whilst enjoying the opportunities and challenges the limestone provides through caving, climbing and exploring the world famous limestone gorges by canoe. At iGCSE we focus on data collecting skills in the local environment around Tonbridge. Once boys reach the sixth form, they visit the London Docklands to study multiple deprivation and urban renewal in Tower Hamlets, and there is a 10-12 day expedition to a more exotic location every two years for as many as 35 boys. Recent trips have been to Vietnam, Borneo, Costa Rica and Morocco, but current members of the department have also led expeditions to Peru, Iceland and New Zealand. The focus of these trips is to experience different landscapes, climates and cultures and to thus deepen students’ understanding of (and interest in) the geography they are studying in class.

Beyond A-Level

There are year round evening extension classes aimed at sixth formers who are considering Geography, Earth Sciences or Land Economy at university. These start as a set of teacher led seminars on subjects as diverse as Identity and Britishness, the Production of Nature, the Geological History of the British Isles, and Postmodernity. These sessions then develop into student led seminars which have recently included topics such as Ghettoisation, Sustainable Cities, Milankovitch Cycles and the Role of Globalisation in Ancient Civilisations. The focus is on stimulating debate and touching on areas of university geography which do not feature in A-level specifications.

A large number of Tonbridgians go on to read Geography or related subjects at university, with an average of two per year going to Oxbridge to read Geography in the last 7 years. 12 of the current U6th have applied for geography or closely related courses, many of whom will be taking gap years inspired by their experiences on the recent field trip.

In This Section

• Syllabus

Morocco 2003