The study of geography at The Hall helps boys make sense of the beautiful, complex and dynamic world and prepares them for roles as global citizens in the 21st century. Geography stimulates an interest in, and a sense of wonder about places. It explains how places and landscapes are formed, how people and the environment interact, and how a diverse range of economies and societies are interconnected.
We build on the boys’ own experiences to investigate at all scales from the personal to the global. Geographical enquiry encourages questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, for the present and future.
Fieldwork is an essential element of geography at The Hall. The boys learn to think spatially using maps, visual images and new technologies including geographical information systems (GIS), to obtain, present and analyse information. Geography inspires pupils to think about their own place in the world, their values and responsibilities to other people, to the environment and the sustainability of the planet.

‘‘GEOGRAPHY is about places. It is not just knowing about places themselves, but understanding the interdependence and connectivity of places. It is about empowering tomorrow’s adults to develop real global understanding and global citizenship so they have the intellectual understanding to participate individually and collectively in shaping the world around them. This knowledge and understanding of other places, cultures and societies underpin sensitivity and tolerance and contributes to good citizenship’’
David Bell (2005) from ‘The Value and Importance of Geography’ in Teaching Geography Volume 30 Number 1 Spring 2005 pp12-13


Geography in the Junior School

Boys will investigate their local area and contrasting areas within the UK and abroad, finding out about the environment and the people who live there. They will begin to learn about the wider world. They will carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. In doing this they will ask geographical questions about people, places and environments, and use geographical skills and resources such as maps and photographs.

In reception through the unit ‘Ourselves’ the boys are introduced to ideas about location and about what the local area is like. In ‘Traditional Tales’ through the story of Red Riding Hood the boys are introduced to maps and pictures and how geographers use them. This includes giving and following directions. In ‘Knights and Castles’ the geographical idea of patterns is introduced as well as an introduction to how we tell if an environment is old or new.
In Year 1 the concepts of environment and climate change are introduced in the ‘Dinosaurs’ unit. ‘Continents of the world’ sees the boys beginning to read and recognise symbols on maps as well as looking at what different places are like. Barnaby Bear’s travels form the focus of our study here
A focus on ‘London’ at the start of Year 2 is an excellent way for the boys to look at aerial photographs, scale and to begin to understand the concept of land use and the environment of the local area. The study of ‘Water’ is a broad topic that covers the water cycle, uses of water, weather and flooding. The final unit ‘Explorers’ allows the boys to look at routes and climate types though an historical focus.
In Year 3 the focus is on developing atlas skills along with a project on a habitat of their choice from Rainforests, Polar Regions, deserts and oceans.

Geography in the Middle School

Boys will investigate a variety of people, places and environments at different scales in the UK and abroad and to start to make links between different places in the world. They find out how people affect the environment and how they are affected by it. They carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom, and use geographical skills and resources such as maps, atlases, aerial photographs and ICT.

In Year 4 students are introduced to the different disciplines involved in the subject through ‘What on earth is geography?’ OS map-skills are then developed in ‘Exploring Britain.’ ‘My local area’ and ‘My place/your place’ encourages the boys to look at contrasts between places. ‘Earth – our changing home’ looks at some amazing physical features from around the world and asks students to consider how they are formed. Finally ‘The wonderful world of sport’ combines geography and sport to develop geographical knowledge, skills and understanding.

In Year 5 the boys look at the concept of sustainability through the topic of ‘Ecosystems.’ Some challenging concepts are covered in the following unit ‘Population.’ Urban regeneration is looked at in the ‘Olympics’ unit, followed by some physical geography in ‘Volcanoes’. The year ends up with a look at the continent of ‘Africa’.

Geography in the Senior School

In the Senior School at The Hall, we strive to be thoughtful and brilliant
Geographers at all times. The Geography Departments’ expectations of boys in Years 7 and 8 is explained to them at the beginning of the Year and is outlined below:

We want you to be curious about the world. We want you to be able to locate places
We want you to develop an interest in people, places and environments. This includes an understanding of different societies and cultures
We want you to ask geographical questions and use geographical language, to analyse and evaluate evidence, make decisions, and have ideas and opinions
You should become aware of environmental issues and understand what we mean by sustainable development
You should understand and have an interest in the physical and human landscapes that you encounter. Geographers call this ‘’processes and patterns’’
We want you to understand how you are linked to other people around the world (geographers call this ‘’interdependence’’)
There are a range of skills you will need to develop. These include using maps, atlases, photographs and ICT skills.
Geography is a 24 hour subject – you will be expected to relate it to your life and to be involved in fieldwork

Some important and complex concepts are covered in Year 6 including ‘Development and Globalisation’. ‘Tourism and National Parks’ gives an environmental slant to the Year, ending with a look at ‘China as a new superpower’.

During Year 7 and Year 8 interesting units are covered as the boys work towards the Common Entrance and Scholarship Examinations (please see curriculum map and Departmental Dartboard for more information). This builds on the curriculum delivered from reception - Year 6.

Enrichment and Fieldwork

‘’Of all the sciences, geography finds its origins in action’’ – Joseph Conrad

There are number of trips and enrichment activities in Geography. These vary from year to year. In Years 1-3 as well as some local fieldwork we have designated Geography Days. Year 4 visits Sayers Croft and Year 5 visit the Natural History Museum. Year 6 have in the past visited a local football stadium, with Year 8 having a residential field trip to Dorset.