Geography

We all live geographically. Planet Earth is our home. It is awesome, diverse, inspiring and ever-changing. As geographers at the Dragon, we are passionate about discovering how our world works and what impact humans are having on its fragile existence. Children at the Dragon are able to draw on their vast wealth of personal experiences to bring more insight, interest and relevance to our studies.

Teachers in the department are committed to improving the knowledge and understanding of the pupils and also developing the thinking skills which are so vital in the study of Geography. In doing this, we are able to explore values and issues, challenge stereotypes whilst still encouraging the children to think for themselves. We aim to allow Dragons the freedom to develop their own informed ideas and to then have the confidence and ability to defend these opinions.

Geography has long embraced the variety of technology on offer. The internet is regularly used for research by individuals and via the digital whiteboards in lessons. Such facilities allow the lessons to be as interactive as possible and ensure that even the most reticent become involved in lessons and pro-active? in their learning. Our multi-sensory activities encourage all styles of learning and ensure a healthy diet of varied tasks.

Syllabus

In Year 4, children study the development of settlements, then consider some extreme environments around the world such as deserts and polar regions. In the summer term, they complete some cross-curricular work with Science when studying tropical rainforest ecosystems. In Year 5, pupils cover a variety of topics from weather and climate to rivers to environmental studies and Ordnance Survey map work. Year 6 brings about study of development where children get to debate global issues such as fair trade, international aid and globalisation. By Year 7 and 8, the Common Entrance syllabus prevails and many topics are covered in preparation for their final exams.

Geography is not just taught in the classroom and fieldwork enquiries are an integral part of the children's learning. Each year group will be involved in fieldwork of some sort, whether this be off site or using the excellent grounds at the Dragon. E Block (Year 4) spend a day in the village of Ivinghoe as well as visiting the Oxford Botanical Gardens when studying tropical rainforests. D Block (Year 5) conduct temperature surveys around school and also enjoy a visit from the Wild Waste Show during their study of Recycling, Re-using and Reducing the use of resources. C Block (Year 6) often have lectures from people working in less developed countries for companies such as Oxfam. They also complete an infiltration experiment in the grounds. In B Block (Year 7), we travel a little further and a group of approximately 80 children visit the Cevennes National Park for a ten day Geography and French trip. Those not able to go so far will spend a day looking at rivers at the Amersham Field Studies Centre. All these provide a vital opportunity for children to learn at first hand about the world about them and put into practice that learnt in the classroom.

For more information contact:
Emma Dunmore
Head of Geography