Geography

The Geography Department employs innovative strategies for teaching and learning, implementing good practice using modern and traditional technologies. Geography encourages students to participate actively in society and celebrate cultural diversity from across the world. It aims to develop the pupils’ interest in global, regional and local issues and in how people and environments are interdependent.

The Geography Department prides itself on the diversity of fieldwork opportunities offered to pupils throughout their school careers and the benefit to individuals cannot be overestimated.

Year 9 Geography Olympians complete sustainability project!

Six year 9 pupils; Sophie Brown, Kerry Chamberlain, Haydn Elkins, Jack Gainsborough, Iain Reeves and Rea Scobell, have been taking part in a fantastic Olympic themed Geography project over the last term, run by Geography Undergraduate Student from the University of Southampton.

Gemma Bartholomew, Geography Undergraduate Ambassador has worked with the Geography department to develop and deliver this project, and has written the following reports on her time at The Westgate School.

The Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme was offered to me as part of my degree programme at the University of Southampton. During my time spent at The Westgate School I have run a project within the geography department with a group of six Year 9 pupils on the Geography of the Olympics. The project was run over a series of 4 lessons leading up a lesson where the group of pupils presented their work to their peers.

The initial lesson introduced concepts of sustainability and their importance within plans for London 2012. Having quickly grasped these concepts and how they have been applied to the designs of the Olympic Park which is currently under construction, the second lesson enabled the group to begin designing their own Olympic Park. The students worked well together, discussing the location of developments such as the athlete's village, the velodrome and aquatics centre, in addition to many other sport stadiums. In designing the plans for the Olympic Park, they had to consider accessibility and obstacles in the landscape such as the River Thames. Each pupil also designed a sport stadium, drawing both inside and outside aspects. The presentation the pupils produced explained why they had designed the park in the way they had and how it was different to the actual designs for London 2012, in addition to explaining how transport systems around the park would work and how the park would be sustainable.

The feedback received from the pupils was very encouraging, when asked what they had enjoyed, comments included "Working as a team" and "Designing my own stadium". The pupils were enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with throughtout the project.

Year 9 Presentation