Monday 6 February 2012

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Geography

Geography at Albyn aims to enable pupils to view the world about them in an informed manner.

Pupils are encouraged to adopt an enquiry-based approach, which enables them to appreciate different viewpoints, cultures, and ideas. As well as learning knowledge, Geography at Albyn seeks to give pupils skills that are useful across subject boundaries, and in the world outside Albyn.

Geography is a popular subject at Albyn with around two thirds of pupils choosing to continue with the subject after Upper 2. Many continue to Higher and Advanced Higher level. A number continue their Geographical studies after school.

The Department accommodation has recently moved back to the main body of the School and is well resourced, including internet facilities and an interactive whiteboard.

Small class sizes enable a great deal of one to one contact time between staff and pupils. allowing pupils to progress quickly, and appropriately for their ability.

Curriculum

Upper 1 & 2

Geography is an exciting subject that is taught to all Upper 1 and 2 pupils.
Upper 1 consists of studies mainly based on Britain and Scotland, concentrating on Geographical skills such as atlas and mapping skills. Pupils study a number of topic areas including the Albyn School Environment, Water, Climate & Climate change, Energy, and Settlements.

Upper 2 consists of studies outside Britain and has three topic main areas, namely Hazards, Europe, Population and Development.

Local field studies are encouraged in order to bring the subject to life, and to add another dimension to the learning experience. Upper 2 have a joint residential Geography/History/Modern Studies trip to Edinburgh after the summer holidays.

Upper 3 & 4

The majority of pupils take Geography Standard Grade to Credit level at Albyn. The course consists of a number of topic areas, which includes:

The Physical Environment; The Human Environment; International Issues.

Many opportunities are available for extended study, as well as fieldwork opportunities (including rivers, glaciation & settlements), and educational visits.

Upper 5

Geography Higher course continues to be very popular as a choice in both Upper V and VI.
The course covers the following topic areas:

Physical Environments (Lithosphere, Biosphere, Atmosphere & Hydrosphere); Human Environments (Population, Urban, Rural & Industrial); Environmental Interactions (Rural Land Resources, urban Change & Its Management).

Geography at Albyn aims to enable pupils to view the world about them in an informed manner.

Pupils combine Geography with a wide range of subjects at higher level including Maths, Science, Modern studies and History.

Upper 6

The Advanced Higher course is traditionally a popular one which is excellent preparation for all University courses with its emphasis on self-supported learning and research.

The course has three areas, which are:

Advanced Higher Geographers undertake a numbers of pieces of fieldwork, including a residential course at a field study centre where pupils prepare for their Study, and Methods & Techniques modules.