“Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future.”Michael Palin

Geography instils in students a curiosity about the world and its people that will remain with them throughout their lives. At King’s Ely, Geography is both exciting and dynamic. Students are introduced to a diversity of places, exploring the interactions between people and environments. They develop essential skills in fieldwork and research and are immersed in geographical discussions that embrace the complexities of tackling real world issues. Our geographers are set on a course to become globally informed and caring citizens, with transferable skills that are highly desired by employers.

Year 9 students extend their knowledge of the world and its physical and human features through the study of global conflict, ecosystems, changing climates and the design of sustainable cities. GCSE students deepen their understanding of the world, the challenges it faces and their place within it, through topics as diverse as global hazards, climate change and urban challenges. Fieldwork investigations of coastal and city landscapes give students the opportunity to develop competence in using a wide range of investigative skills.

In addition to fieldwork directly linked to the curriculum, our students have the opportunity to experience field trips to awe-inspiring destinations, such as Iceland and the West Coast USA, and, closer to home, to take their learning beyond the curriculum by attending Royal Geographical Society lectures.

Our A Level geographers further develop their geographical understanding to engage critically with real world issues, with topics ranging from glaciated landscapes to health, human rights and global development. Fieldwork takes them to diverse landscapes, and as they grow as independent thinkers, they take the crucial step to undertaking independent geographical investigations. Geography is one of the most popular Post-18 subjects and, following their experience at King’s Ely, many of our geographers are inspired to take their geographical studies further at top universities.

Students have also set up and now run The Shanassy Society, named after Mr Neil Shanassy, who was a former Head of Geography at King’s, worked at the school for almost 40 years and sadly passed away in 2017. The society is an opportunity for everyone interested in any aspect of geography to explore the subject and it regularly holds watch-alongs, talks, presentations, debates and more, covering the broad range of issues that geography concerns. After all, there is no subject more relevant today.