Department ethos:–
The Geography Department at Commonweal wants students to find out that there is a big world out there, that you learn by doing, and so they need to get out there.

We would like to get students to think globally and act locally. Remember to use your free O.S map from Year 7!

Supporting the school’s specialism:-
We attempt to support the school’s specialist arts status by organising various relevant activities throughout the year. For example the Department has worked together with The Fairtrade – Theatre company.

Throughout KS3 and KS4 students have the opportunity to take part in role plays in lessons, debates and discussions and presentations.

We intend in the future to use film for certain topic areas.  

Links to outside agencies:-
The Geography department sees a need to get students out of the classroom and so run the following fieldtrips each school year.

• Y7 Safer routes to school, Croft Walls, Visit to Westonbirt Arboretum (with Science Department)
• Y8  Visit to Eden Project
• Y9 River work at River Cole National Trust (with Maths Department)
• Y10 Fieldwork to Bristol Harbour side and @ Bristol, Honda Factory, Bishopstone – walk along the Ridgeway
• Y11 Fieldwork to Dorset Coast Lulworth Cove and Portland.
• G&T Thames Water/Global Action Plan – Water Aid.

Department successes:-
Geography is a popular subject at Commonweal, we have good exam results, with a high % of students going on to take AS at the college and many continuing this at University.

Others benefit from their Geography during gap years and we receive postcards and rocks from them.

Useful web addresses:-

www.mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/

www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

www.bbc.co.uk

web-japan.org/kidsweb/

www.multimap.com