Geography

The 2010 GCSE results were excellent, with an overall pass rate of 88% and 62% of pupils achieving A and A* grades. These results can be attributed to the hard work of the staff and pupils and the strength of the coursework, which allows students to achieve the highest marks through extension work on Lytham Town Centre. This year a new modular approach to GCSE Geography has been introduced. In June, 37 Year 10 pupils sat Paper 1 Physical Geography; the pass rate was 86% A to C; 54% of the grades were at A and A*. Even more impressively, 11 pupils achieved full marks in the paper.

The A2 results were very pleasing with 86% of pupils achieving A or B grades. One pupil received the new A* grade. A number of pupils achieved full marks on at least one component and many achieved marks above their expectations. At AS level, 50% of candidates achieved A or B grades. We aim to improve the grades at A2.

The Geography Department continues to offer a full range of field work opportunities in all years and these trips are often a memorable part of a student's time at school. The trips involve geographical investigations: Year 7 visit a local farm as part of their work on agriculture; Year 8 complete an environmental and plant survey on the school campus to complement their work on ecosystems. In Year 9, the pupils visit Malham in the Yorkshire Dales to study limestone features and the impact of tourism in a National Park. At GCSE we visit Lytham to gather data for our centre assessed field study unit. In the Sixth Form, the students attend a residential field course in Snowdonia working on a river study and complete urban work in Preston to prepare them for their skills paper at AS and A2.