Geography

Introduction Current Fieldwork Events and Lectures The Department and Curriculum GCSE Coursework

Introduction

"Geography is about understanding the world we live in, how and why it is changing, and how we manage that as a society. For enquiring souls, that dynamic process is exciting. Geography is the one holistic discipline that can deal with the issues our generation has to tackle"

Andrew Lycett, The Sunday Times

Current Fieldwork

ICELAND 2009
(21st -26th August 2009)

It was with much intrepid excitement that 30 Geographers from Years 10, 11 and 12, along with Ms Yeo, Miss Gandell, Mrs Townend, Mrs Stone and Dr Rushton embarked on a 6 day visit to one of Earth’s most geographically inspiring countries.

Sadly, the weather forecast looked grim from the outset, and although this did mean that our Myrdalsjökull glacier tour had to be cancelled, it by no means dampened the spirits of the girls or staff. The week was spent in waterproofs, woolly hats and gloves, and most certainly gave everyone a true Icelandic experience!

The visit had a very busy itinerary that enabled us to see a vast number of the spectacular geographical features that the country has to offer. One Day 2, we drove the Golden Circle and saw some of Iceland’s most famous landmarks, including the Þingvellir National Park where the Eurasian and North American Plates are pulling apart, Gullfoss waterfall and the Strokkur Geysir, which provided much entertainment as the girls waited with excitement to get the best shot of its unpredictable eruptions.

Other highlights included the Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss waterfalls, the boat trip out onto Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, Whale Watching out of Reykajík, an afternoon spent relaxing in the Blue Lagoon and of course a game of Geographical charades!

We were most impressed with our guide Björn, who inspired and enthused the girls with his witty anecdotes and extensive knowledge of his country. He was quick to think of alternative activities when the weather closed in to ensure that the girls had the best possible experience. We are very excited about returning to Iceland in 2011 and hope the weather will be kinder to us next time!

Year 8: Hadrian’s Wall
(22nd–26th June 2009)

The Geography Department played a role in the Year 8 Residential visit to Hadrian’s Wall in the Summer Term. In previous years, we have carried out more Human Geography-based investigations in the Market Town of Alston. This year, however, Miss Gandell led a half-day activity on the geology of the region and the formation of the Great Whin Sill. Using fieldsketches and discussion, the girls investigated how this magnificent landscape was formed. It was a very successful activity that enabled the girls to understand more fully the reasons why Hadrian chose to build his Wall here.

Year 8: Rushall Mixed Organic Farm
(8th June 2009)

As an introduction to the Unit on Farming, the Year 8s visited Rushall Mixed Organic Farm near Pangbourne. They looked at a number of different aspects of farming, including the farm as a system, crop rotation and diversification. They also had the opportunity to investigate the different soils on the farm and how these affected landuse. The girls also tried their hands at pond dipping to enable them to investigate into the quality of the water in the pond. At the end of the day, the girls met some of the livestock on the farm, which they thoroughly enjoyed. It was a very successful trip and we look forward to returning next year.

For more information about Rushall Farm, visit http://www.rushallfarm.org.uk/

Year 10: Shotover
(13th May 2009)

The Year 10s spent a very successful day at Shotover Country Park. They investigated into the uses and management of the park and also looked at the impact that visitors can have, including footpath erosion. This allowed them to gain valuable fieldwork experience and to help give them ideas for their own coursework that they will start planning at the end of this year. The students worked exceptionally well and many devised their own questionnaires which they tested on visitors to the park. The fieldtrip was followed up with complex data presentation techniques and this will help them in working on their own individual pieces of coursework.

Year 11: Lulworth Cove
(17th March 2009)

The Year 11 Geographers enjoyed their fieldtrip to Lulworth Cove towards the end of the Easter term. The girls were able to study the geology of this fantastic stretch of the Jurassic coastline and, through the use of field sketches and discussion, were able to understand how this has affected the coastal landforms in this area. They also considered what future changes might happen to Stair Hole and Lulworth Cove if the coastal processes continue as they have been doing. The experience was invaluable for the unit on Coasts, as they were able to apply their knowledge of coastal processes and features. The beach in Lulworth Cove itself provided a perfect setting for lunch.

We also took the girls to Studland Bay where we were met by a guide from the National Trust. He discussed some of the management strategies that have been implemented in this environmentally sensitive area and also the conflicts that have arisen between various groups of people in response to these strategies. This will be an extremely useful Case Study to support the Resources and Management Unit that they studied earlier the year. The girls returned back to school having had a thoroughly enjoyable day at the coast where they gained much valuable information to support their GCSE studies.

Year 7: Oxford River Walks
(February 2009)

Year 7 once again embarked as form groups on guided walks along the River Thames from Folly Bridge to Osney Island to discover first hand how development in Oxford has built up on the flood plain and how the risk of flooding has been managed. Although it was very chilly, the girls were well prepared and worked well on the visits. These fieldtrips will help to enrich their understanding of the Rivers and Flooding unit.

Year 12: Residential fieldtrip to Slapton, Devon
(23rd – 27th January 2009)

We carried on the long tradition of the Year 12 Geographers’ annual residential visit to the Slapton Ley Field Study Centre in South Devon. It was a great success.

There were three main aspects of the fieldtrip:

• Investigating how infiltration rates differ with different landuses.
• Examining river variables of the River Harbourne, which has its source on Dartmoor. The weather was beautiful, if a little chilly and all the girls remained in very high spirits, even though many wellies were overtopped!
• A walk from Start Point back to Slapton sands. This gave the girls the opportunity to look at the effects of coastal erosion, especially at the ruined village of South Hallsands which has all but been claimed by the sea. The girls were able to really get to grips with constructive and destructive waves. They had the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of a number of coastal management schemes
• Plant succession on a shingle ridge.

Although it was mid-January, the sun shone throughout our visit and kept everyone in very high spirits. During the evening sessions, there was the opportunity to collate all their data, discuss their hypotheses and draw conclusions from their results. The girls returned with plenty of case studies and data that will reinforce their AS and A2 work. We very much look forward to returning next year.

Year 10: Gloucester
(8th January 2009)

Our annual fieldtrip to Gloucester enabled the Year 10 Geographers to gain valuable knowledge of a variety of fieldwork techniques and also create an excellent case study which supports the work they have done on the topic of Settlement. This year, although temperatures hovered around 0oC all day, the girls worked efficiently and gained a lot from the experience. They used the data they gathered from the trip to learn a number of different data presentation techniques in preparation for writing their coursework.

Year 9: Natural History Museum
(3rd December 2008)

The Year 9s descended on the Natural History Museum for our annual visit. The girls had the opportunity to visit three key exhibitions, including The Power within, Restless Surface and Ecology. The work that they carried out will act as a bridge between the two units of Plate Tectonics, which we have just finished, and Rainforests, which we will start in the spring.

Year 12: Wheatley and Jericho
(4th November 2008)

As part of their Core Human module for the new AS syllabus, the Lower Sixth Geographers undertook fieldwork in and around Oxford. They were required to undertake Internet-based research using census data prior to visits to Jericho (a gentrified 'inner city' area) and Wheatley (an expanding village on the fringes of the city). They have gained a really valuable and detailed study of the quality of environment and service provision to complement their class-based work. We hope they have also gained a greater awareness and understanding of their local area.

Year 7: Summertown
(September 2008)

The Year 7 classes descended upon the Banbury Road shopping area of Summertown to conduct their fieldwork of the local area. They carried out data collection techniques such as pedestrian counts and land use surveys that enabled them to try to try new presentation methods back in the classroom and enabled them to have their first experience of a geographical enquiry. Some of the girls also took part in a subsequent decision-making exercise on Open Evening.

Events and Lectures

Year 13 Last Day
(22nd May 2009)

We were very sad to say goodbye to the Year 13 Geographers at half term, as they left to go on study leave in preparation for their exams. It was a pleasure to teach them over the last two years. Many congratulations to all the sixth formers who achieved excellent results and we wish them all the best in their plans for the future. We especially look forward to hearing news from the girls who have gone on to read Geography at University, which this year was our largest number. They will be greatly missed!

OxClean Spring Clean 2009

On Friday 6th of March a class of Year 7 Geographers and a Sixth Form group took part in the city-wide campaign to tackle the problem of litter. Girls donned gloves, high visibility jackets and long armed litter pickers in their quest for paper, plastic, bottles and cans. They collected a staggering amount of rubbish as they cleaned up the Marston Ferry Road cycle route and the surrounding area. The volume of rubbish certainly surprised many and we hope that the part played by Oxford High School contributes to the overall success of the scheme.

David Shukman talks to Year 9 Geographers about his experiences in tropical rainforests

On 19th January Year 9 students enjoyed a lively and entertaining presentation and talk by the well known environmental correspondent, David Shukman. He shared his experiences of trips to rainforests including the Amazon and Borneo whilst preparing news reports. He focused upon the diversity of life there and the conflicts arising through logging and the production of soya beans and palm oil. His talk comes at a time when Year 9's are working on 'Rainforest Diaries' in Geography lessons. We are very grateful to him for coming to talk to us.

Dr Helen Johnson: Ocean Circulation and Climate Change
(12th January 2009)

Red Accessories for World AIDS Day
(1st December 2008)

Year 13 Geographers raised £317.21 on World AIDS Day!

This year on World AIDS Day, the Year 13 Geographers organised a Red Accessories Day. Girls wore red shoes, hair bands, tights and beads along with a red ribbon. The Year 13s have been studying the HIV and AIDS as part of the hazards section of the 'Global Change' Module. They also raised awareness of the issue through a very informative assembly along the theme of Respect and Protect. The day was a great success; £317.21 was raised for the National AIDS Trust, smashing the original target of £155. Well done Year 13!

Geographical Association Worldwise Quiz
(27th November 2008)

We are delighted that our Year 11 team are currently Worldwise Quiz champions for Geographical Association Oxfordshire Branch. It was a nail-biting competition which involved very strong teams from a number leading schools in and around Oxford. The girls fought off strong competition early on to maintain their commanding position to win through in a thrilling finale.

Annie Cooper: BICAL
(24th November 2008)

The Department and Curriculum

Teaching Staff

• Ms Katie Yeo
• Miss Mary Gandell
• Mrs Frances Townend

Geography is a popular subject at Oxford High School. Modern Geography provides a varied and multifaceted approach to learning. We aim to provide inspiring and stimulating lessons that challenge pupils’ perceptions of the world around us.

At OHS, Geography offers a varied and exciting curriculum from Year 7 to Year 13. We use an enquiry-led approach to all our work. We believe that good geographers should be asking questions and looking for explanations. Practical investigations play a vital part in teaching and learning at OHS. A structured programme of fieldwork involves each year group from Year 7 to Year 13. Detailed analysis of the data collected completes the exercise.

Year 7 undertake a fieldtrip to Summertown where they investigate the shopping area of Summertown and a half day River walk along the River Thames in Oxford.

Year 8 visit Rushall Farm, to look at the various systems and land uses at this organic farm along side their study of agriculture.

In Year 9 the pupils work on plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes, and ecosystems is complemented with an activity based trip to a number of exhibits at the Natural History Museum.

GCSEs

Currently being updated

AS and A2

Currently being updated

GCSE Coursework

Coursework Deadlines:

14th September: Maps and Diagrams
28th September: Data presentation and Draft Method
5th October: Introduction
23rd October: Interpretation and Analysis
13th November: Conclusion and Evaluation
27th November: Final submission of completed enquiry