Geography

Course summary

There has never been a greater need for geography literacy. At Harington School, our A-level geography students handle real world data to answer these and other questions our world faces and emerge with the skills and knowledge fit for the 21st Century. The diversity of topics, skills and issues is one reason we love the course. The OCR A-level is engaging, diverse and challenging – One minute you are studying the sustainability of fish stocks in UK waters, the next media representations of urban renewal in Fletton Quays, Peterborough and Barcelona, Spain. By studying geography, you are also on a pathway with bright prospects. The Royal Geographical Society and Higher Education Careers Service Unit reports geographers remain among the most employable with less than 5% unemployed or looking for work. A-level geography also compliments further study in the sciences and arts. Our students have gone on to study medicine, archaeology, music, meteorology amongst many others. Students at Harington will be supported by experienced teachers who draw on their careers in industry, research interests, and passion for the subject to drive student success. The Harington Geographers have consistently achieved results above the national average in every year of the reformed geography A-Level. This makes them some of the most successful in the local area and nationally. To support their progression to University, apprenticeships, or first career, our students are encouraged to follow their interests, to complete online learning modules at Tertiary Education Providers and complete Extended Project Qualifications. This support leads to strong UCAS statements and students who have much to be proud of. With their CV’s boosted, our students receive places at Russell Group Universities extending from University of Edinburgh to University of Exeter. If you ask any geographer, travelling will be one of their top passions. As part of the course we explore local geographies to prepare for an independent investigation. We complete a 4-day residential to North Norfolk savouring the “Big skies, wide beaches, and subtle beauty” whilst honing your fieldwork and statistical skills. Of course, no field work would be complete without collecting primary data on ice-creams and local delicacies. From this foundation, our students produce exceptional projects ranging from exploring how economic change has influenced the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of Oakham to what extent has urban rebranding and regeneration changed the profile of Manchester CBD over time? We have run trips to Sicily and the Aeolian Island (2018 Lonely Planet top 10 regions) in October half term providing students an incredible experience, relevant knowledge of active tectonic environments and much needed sunshine! At Harington School, our geography teachers have been inspired by books like the Sunday Times best seller, Factfulness by Hans Rosling and Atmosphere of Hope by Tim Flannery. Both suggest we can be optimistic about the future, and with support at Harington, our students can be optimistic about their futures too.