Geography Field Trips
Wellington College has a strong tradition of fieldwork, valuing its role within the curriculum. We believe it bridges the gap between the classroom and the outside world and promotes the development of a range of transferable skills, including enquiry, numeracy, literacy and communication. Fieldwork helps students to consider and respect a range of perspectives and social, political and environmental issues, while giving them the confidence to justify their own opinions. We believe fieldwork encourages students to become independent learners and to develop teamwork, communication and leadership skills, so important in today's world.
Fieldwork within the College is carried out at Key stages 3, 4 and 5. In October year 10 classes visit Murlough Nature Reserve near Dundrum. Here they examine beach processes and sustainable management of a Sand Dune Ecosystem and produce a report on their findings. In March, year 13, in preparation for their AS examinations, undertake a residential at Killowen Field Centre near Rostrevor collecting data and developing fieldwork techniques in an in depth river study and in June, Year 11 Geography pupils use Belfast City Centre to establish and test hypotheses relating to the central business district of the city.
- Mr. N. Lawlor, Head of Geography.
Year 8.
Where I live- My area. Contrast with Sponsored children living in Uganda.
The changing world of work.
Titanic Quarter.
Geology of Northern Ireland.
Ecosystems
Lignite Power Station - Issue
Year 9
Population.
Cities. Sustainable settlements.
Rivers- Features- Interaction with people.
Energy.
Europe.
Economic Activity
Year 10.
Brazil and life in Rio de Janiero.
Tectonic Processes.- Earthquakes and Volcanoes.
Fieldwork in Murlough Nature Reserve.
Aral sea Environmental issue.
Population
Examining Board AQA.
Paper One 40% of the total marks.
People and the Natural Environment. 1 3/4hrs.
Section A. Geographical Skills.
Section B Answer Three from:
1. Tectonic Activity.
2. Rocks and Landscape
3. River Landscapes
4. Glacial Landscapes
5. Coastal Landscapes
6. Weather and Climate
7. Ecosystems.
Paper Two 35% of the total marks. 1 ½ hrs.
Three structured questions to be answered:
One from: 1. Population.
2. Settlement.
One from: 3. Agriculture.
4 Industry.
One from: 5. Managing Resources
6. Development.
Coursework. 25% of total marks
Examining Board - CCEA.
The AS consists of two modules:
- AS1 Physical Geography and skills.
Section A: Fieldwork and Skills. 50% of AS/25% A2
Section B: Physical Processes and systems and human interactions. Use of G.I.S. Examines river processes, landforms and flooding. Ecosystems, plant succession. Human interaction with ecosystems. Atmospheric processes, mid-latitude weather systems and extreme weather such as hurricanes.
- AS2 Human Geography.
Themes in Human Geography: examines, population data, structure, population and resources. Rural environments, planning in Rural environments, Challenges for the urban environment. Development issues.
Preferred level of entry. It is recommended that students who enrol for this qualification should have achieved at least a B in Geography GCSE. Skills in handling data, graphs and maps are also important.
A2 Geography. Examining Board - CCEA.
- A2 1 Human Geography and Global issues. 25% of A. Level
Impact of Population Change;
Examining natural population change, migration, causes, streams and impacts. Population policies
Issues in Ethnic Diversity:
Examining the processes which create and maintain ethnic diversity. Ethnic conflict.
- A2 2 Physical Geography and Decision Making.. 25% of A. Level
Fluvial and Coastal Environments.
Human demands on fluvial and coastal environments. River basin management strategies. Coastal processes, features and management.
Natural Hazards and Human Activity.
Nature of events related to crustal movements
and extreme weather phenomena.
Processes responsible for selected hazards.
Beneficial and detrimental outcomes of natural hazards. Effectiveness of human strategies to predict and/or reduce the impact of natural hazards.
Mr N Lawlor (HoD)
Mrs M Stewart
