GeographyDuring our Geography sessions at Barrow Hills the children gain an appreciation of the physical world through the eyes of a geographer. From understanding our daily weather patterns, to noticing wonderful rock formations on a day out, our aim is to inspire the children is such a way that they are enthusiastic about Geography whilst they are at Barrow Hills and in the future. We encourage curiosity and investigation from the moment children join us, gaining skills and understanding of the world around them, these are enhanced throughout the years until the children reach Year 8 Geography begins by exploring the local community and using the school grounds to observe environmental features, changing landscapes and climates. Throughout the school year children learn about growth and change and how to care for the environment during their weekly visit to the Outdoor Classroom. Fieldwork investigations begin to take the children further afield and in Year 2 they visit the Isle of Wight, extending understanding by exploring and observing. Once the children enter the Prep Department, they are confident to use these skills in projects such as looking at Chembakolli Village in India, a study comparing their lives to the lives of the Indian children. In Year 4 St Lucia becomes the focus of our work and we look at sub-topics such as places to go, things to do, trade, tourism and land use. The Year 4 pupils also undertake fieldwork in our local village of Witley. In Years 5 and 6 the pupils continue to build upon their existing skills to gain a greater understanding of physical geography. During their residential trip they visit the Isle of Wight - a great opportunity to see the dramatic coastline, including The Needles. Pupils begin map reading which, despite the era of 'sat nav', is a valuable tool for life. They end Year 6 with a project on France, which is their own work but guided to include topics such as physical features, imports and exports and tourism. In the final two years, the children work on the Common Entrance syllabus; they undertake fieldwork and case studies. The course is exciting and thorough and includes strands on Geomorphological and Tectonic processes, Volcanoes and Earthquakes, Economic Activities and Environmental Issues. This, coupled with an understanding of more developed and lesser developed communities that we have in our world, and enhanced through our union with St Benoit's School in Burkina Faso, ensure the children leave Barrow Hills at the end of Year 8 with the knowledge and skills to understand the geography of the world and continue studying Geography to GCSE and beyond, should this be their choice. Emma Smyth, Head of Geography
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