Geography Gifted & Talented/Enrichment

Pupils who are gifted in Geography are likely to:

  • Understand geographical concepts clearly so that they can apply this understanding to new situations in order to make interpretations, develop hypotheses, reach conclusions and explore solutions.
  • Communicate effectively using both the written and spoken word.
  • Reason, argue and think logically, showing an ability to manipulate abstract symbols and recognise patterns and sequences.
  • Enjoy using graphs, charts, maps, diagrams and other visual methods to present information. This includes the effective use of aerial photographs, satellite images, maps and GIS systems.
  • Have a more highly developed value system, on issues such as environmental and the inequalities of life in different places, than most pupils of their age.
  • Have a wide-ranging general knowledge about the world.
  • Be able to transfer knowledge from subject to another. For example, the transfer of the industrial revolution from history to help explain the location of industry in the UK.
  • Be creative and original in their thinking, frequently going beyond the obvious solution to a problem.

Throughout their time at Blundell’s, pupils will be challenged to undertake a wide range of varying tasks and exercises that enable them to develop numerous skills. An inquisitive approach about the world around us is encouraged and the comprehension of the subject is enhanced by a knowledge and understanding of what is taking place on the planet today, at different scales. Consequently, students are regularly guided towards current affairs and there is an expectation that students keep up-to-date with current issues in the media. In addition, GSCE students and A-level students can subscribe to relevant geographical magazines.

As a result, Geography is a highly popular subject at both GCSE and A-level, and a significant number have continued their interest in this subject at university over recent years. To supplement their knowledge gained within the classroom, students in the Sixth Form have the ability to attend a range of lectures throughout the year and fieldwork is an essential component of academic enrichment.

Lecture Programme

Royal Geographical Society lecture 2011

Venue: Ondaatje Hall
Cool Earth: Saving Rainforests from the ground-up
By Jemma Woodman
The Green Movement has prioritized saving tropical ecosystems for 40 years but half of them have disappeared. Jemma will talk about the challenge of creating barriers to deforestation in some of the world’s most intensely logged forests from here experience in Peru and Borneo.

Wellington GA Lectures 2011/12

India’s Urbanisation: the paradoxes of modern development
By Dr Robert Bradnock
In the last 10 years India’s major cities have been transformed, the urban population grew by 40 million to over 320 million, urban slums continue to house over 120 million people. As Visiting Research Fellow, King’s College London, Bob will explore the origins of the paradoxes of Indian urban development and the challenges for the future.

The secrets of the world’s volcanoes
By Dr Tamsin Mather

Field Trips

These are some of the trips that have taken place in recent years:

Y7 – River Lowman Studies

Y8 – Cheddar Gorge

Y9 – Big Pit, South Wales

Y11 – Dunster

Y12 – River Exe flooding and management; Urban land use within Exeter; Coastal studies at Dawlish and Exmouth.

Y13 – River processes along River Exe

Residential – Dorset coastline (Y13); Italy (Y12 and Y13)