Geography
Geography is one of the most popular subjects at Loretto. The department is well equipped; all three classrooms have interactive whiteboards, there is an electronic weather station, Geography library, (used as a Sixth Form study base) and a small computer room. The subject is taught by four very experienced members of staff.
Why study Geography?
Geography is an academic subject rich in skills, knowledge and understanding. The subject links the arts and the sciences so is flexible in terms of what it can combine it with, both at GCSE and A-Level. Issues studied are extremely relevant to the challenges the world is facing today, both environmentally and in wider society. Geography fieldwork provides useful skills in collecting, understanding and communicating data to different audiences. The subject requires strong research and analytical skills, an ability to produce convincing arguments and to communicate ideas effectively.
Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What can be more important than that?
Michael Palin
The aim of the Form Two and Form Three course is to introduce some of the topics that will be revisited higher up the school. In Form Two pupils study mapping, climate and plate tectonics. In Form Three, topics include development, glaciation and ecosystems.
Geography pupils study the Edexcel A syllabus. This includes studying physical topics such as UK landscapes, coasts, rivers, hazards, climate change and ecosystems. Human topics include Changing cities, global development, resource and energy management. Pupils carry out two days fieldwork at the Leithen water and in Musselburgh which are examined on a third paper at the end of Fifth Form, alongside a section on UK Challenges. In 2022 88% of pupils gained a Grade 6 or above.
Geography is one of the most popular subject choices at A level. The department follows the AQA A-Level syllabus. Pupils study six topics throughout the two year course; Water and carbon cycles, Glaciated systems and landscapes, Hazards, Population and the Environment, Changing places and Global systems and governance.
Students complete two exams at the end of Upper Sixth. Pupils are also required to complete a fieldwork project on a topic of their choice which accounts for 20% of their final grade.
During the course, pupils complete four days of fieldwork that includes a three-day trip to the Isle of Arran and there is an option to join a trip to Iceland during October Half-term. Many Sixth Form Geographers go on to study the subject at university and beyond.