The aims of the Department are:-

• To develop an awareness of the pupils' place in relation to home and distant environments in terms of physical and human facts.
• To develop an understanding of the processes involved in the evolution of the differing physical and human environments.
• To develop an understanding and awareness of other communities and their interaction with their environments and each other.
• To develop an awareness of values in relation to economic, social and political issues.
• To develop an awareness of the availability of source materials, for example, maps, texts, photographs, videos, databases, CD ROM's.
• To introduce a range of skills through field and practical work - observation, recording, presenting, analysing and interpreting a variety of information from various sources including primary sources, texts, photographs, maps and IT.
• To establish a basis for the acquisition of further geographical knowledge, and an understanding of concepts, skills and values.
• To provide a stimulating environment for the raising of standards and progression.
• To fulfil the Schools' 'Charter for Learning'.
• To make Geography come alive and be fun!

This is a bright and lively Department that encourages pupils to investigate for themselves, and hopes they will continue during their adult life. Pupils take part in fieldwork and produce booklets for homework to broaden their knowledge and extend it beyond the National Curriculum content. The topics studied at Key Stage 3 provide a sound basis for Key Stage 4 GCSE and allow for progress to A levels and further education.

Mr. S. Clough – Head of Geography

Mr. Clough is currently enjoying his third year of teaching at Bishop Barrington School.

He has previously taught at Easington Community School, Sandhill View School and Oxclose School.

He studied Human Biology and Geography for his degree at Liverpool University before doing a PGCE in Geography at Sunderland University

In his spare time Mr Clough enjoys going to the Gym and socialising.

Mr. N. Powell - Geography Teacher

This is Mr. Powell's third year at Bishop Barrington, he has previously taught at Darlington Eastbourne and Durham Johnston Schools.

Mr. Powell obtained his degree and Qualified Teacher Status from Sunderland University.

His hobbies include playing football and tennis, going to the cinema and at the present time Mr. Powell holds a season ticket for Sunderland Football Club

Internet Sites:

National Geographic Society

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

There is a vast amount of information available which can be used to help with homework, to learn more about a special interest, and to give contact points for support organizations - or just to make learning a fun, shared activity in the family.

Envirolink

http://www.envirolink.org/index1.html

EnviroLink is dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive, up-to-date environmental resources available. They have organized the EnviroLink Library to make information easier for you to access, interact with and use. Information is categorised by types of resources (organizations, publications, etc.) and environmental topics. Extensive searching tools exist to make finding the resources you want easier.

BBC Bitesize

http://db.bbc.co.uk/education-bitesize/pkg_main.p_home

This site welcomes you to GCSE BITESIZE, the first ever revision guide via TV, books and the Internet. Use their Revision Bites to brush up your skills, then check what you know in the Test Bites.

Volcano World

http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/

Volcano World is the best way on the Web to catch the attention of folks interested in volcanoes. They average 8,000 visitors per day.

The Met Office

http://www.meto.govt.uk/

In the UK, everyone talks about the weather. Moreover, everyone is affected by the ever-changing British weather to some extent. The Met. Office is the UK national weather service, and is synonymous with the weather.

Through this medium, we have an excellent opportunity to explain and demonstrate the science of meteorology and the way in which we apply it for the benefit of the nation.

Visual Antarctica

http://www.terraquest.com/va/ecology/ecology.html#B

Ecology has become a global concern, and the effects of humanity on the planet itself endanger the delicate balance of the earth's environments -- even in Antarctica. Discover up-to-date information about ecological issues.

The Judd School

http://www.rmplc.co.uk/eduweb/sites/judd/geography.html#industry

This site incorporates a multitude of links that include Geography issues at GCSE and A level.

Friends of the Earth

http://www.foe.co.uk/

This site encompasses the largest international network of environmental groups in the world, and represents 58 countries. The site covers a wide range of environmental issues.

Rainforests

http://www.btinternet.com/~yptenc/rainfrsts.htm

This site discusses tropical rainforests that are found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. There are other, temperate rainforests in areas such as the northwest Pacific coast of America, that is explained in detail.

Ordnance Survey

http://www.ordsvy.gov.uk/educate.html

This site enables schools and colleges to obtain the latest news and contacts, digital map data, map resources and teaching resources.