The TDS geography department seeks to empower students with the knowledge to appreciate our rapidly changing environment. We aim to stimulate interest and enthusiasm, enabling students to understand challenges the UK and the rest of the world is facing alongside the ability to recognise why there is a need to solve such issues.

Geography topics include:

• Helping students attain a greater knowledge and appreciation of their own country.
• Giving pupils an opportunity to gain an insight into the challenges faced, whilst also allowing a comparison to be made between the UK and the rest of the world.
• Understanding of natural processes and how they influence the lives of communities.
• Teaching pupils how the world around us is changing.

The subject encourages thought, through investigation and analytical deduction, as well as learning graphical, numerical and cartographic skills which compliment other subjects within the school.

Breakdown of Topics:

KS3 geography has been designed to introduce a wide range of concepts. Students will develop an understanding in the following topics:

GCSE geography follows the Edexcel A specification.

• Physical paper (1GAO/O1) 37.5%,
• Human Paper (1GAO/O2) 37.5%,
• Geographical paper (1GAO/O3) 25%

A Level geography follows the Edexcel specification.

• Paper 1 Physical (GEO/O1) 30%
• Paper 2 Human (GEO/O2) 30%
• Paper 3 Synoptic (GEO/O3) 20%
• Independent investigation (GEO/O4) 20%

Cartography involves developing and producing different types of maps, as well as producing related diagrams, charts, spread sheets and travel guides. Cartographers work within a variety of areas, including publishing, government, surveying and conservation and draws on an array of advanced technologies, such as geographical information systems (GIS) and digital-mapping techniques.

Environmental consultants work to ensure that their commercial or government clients comply with regulations, and address a variety of environmental issues. They typically focus on identifying whether an area of land, air or water is polluted, and what the impact would be, by means of desk-based research and field work.

Town planners deal with the management and development not only of towns, but also cities, villages and rural areas in order to improve existing infrastructure and find solutions to environmental issues, as well as ensuring new developments are in line with various policies and regulations.

Geographical information systems officers carry out the gathering and examination of geographical data generated by GIS. The data can be applied in a variety of areas, such as defence, meteorology, oil, gas, telecommunications and transportation, to make decisions which benefit the environment.

Conservation officers work to protect a natural environment and raise awareness of the ways in which the local community can enjoy its settings without having a negative impact. Similarly, a sustainable development officer would promote their particular employer’s sustainability practices in the local area.

Recycling officers aim to reduce waste by promoting recycling in their local area. They plan and develop environmental and waste reduction policies and schemes, often employed be a local authority/government, recycling contractor or environmental charity.

Landscape architects create, design and manage the open spaces around us to ensure that they are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also safe and sustainable.

Teachers/lecturers like to pass on their geography skills and knowledge to the next generation as a geography teacher in a secondary school, college or further education institution.

Transportation planners assess public, private and commercial transportation needs and analysing and devising new road or transportation schemes.

Water conservationists monitor, manage, protect and improve environmental areas where groundwater is critical, such as wetland habitats, and take action where required to rectify problems.

Other careers include: emergency hazard management, photogrammetry, land surveyor, climate change analyst, meteorologist, climatologist, geomorphologist, international aid work.