BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL
GEOGRAPHY
The Geography Department at Belfast High School aims to encourage pupil curiosity, interest and enjoyment in our dynamic and changing world.
We want pupils to be inspired by the world around them and to develop their role as global citizens.
Head of Department
Dr D M Wood BA PGCE PhD
Teaching Staff
Ms J McElrea BSc PGCE
Miss J McQueen BSc PGCE
Mr M Rainey BEd
Mrs L Tinsley BSc MSc PGCE
CURRICULUM
Key Stage 3
Pupils study a range of topics which build on their experiences of the World Around Us in primary school. Physical Geography topics include Weather, Rivers, Coasts, Climate Change, Volcanoes and Earthquakes. In Human Geography, pupils study Settlement, Development, Population and Migration. Pupils also develop a range of subject-specific skills, such as map skills.
GCSE
At GCSE, pupils follow the CCEA specification. In Year 11, pupils study Physical Geography, which explores Rivers, Coasts, Weather and Restless Earth. In Year 12, pupils study Population, Settlement, Development and Managing Our Environment as part of their Human Geography course. In addition, pupils complete a fieldwork investigation along the Curly Burn River. ​
A Level
At A Level, pupils follow the CCEA specification. As part of their AS Level course, pupils study Rivers, Ecosystems, Weather, Population, Settlement and Development. They also complete a sand dune fieldwork investigation at Umbra Nature Reserve. At A Level, pupils study Plate Tectonics, Tropical Ecosystems, Ethnic Diversity and Tourism.
Co-curricular Activities
Pupils have opportunities to develop their fieldwork skills while investigating changing characteristics along the Curly Burn River (Year 12) and through a study of ecological succession at Umbra Nature Reserve (Year 13). The Geography also organises regular educational trips to Iceland.