Geography
In recognition of its pioneering work, The Maynard Geography Department has been awarded the Secondary Geography Quality Mark by the Geographical Association, while Head of Geography, Miss Williamson has been awarded Chartered Geographer status by the Royal Geographical Society.
Fieldwork and experiencing the living, breathing aspect of the subject is an essential part of Geography at The Maynard. Girls develop research and fieldwork skills both on and off site. Younger students investigate local housing patterns in Exeter and carry out fieldwork on rivers. In Year 8 our girls visit the Eden Project and the Jurassic Coast and in Year 9 go to Cheddar Caves. At GCSE we visit the River Otter and explore Exeter, as well as having the chance to join overseas trips such as to Iceland or Costa Rica.
At Key Stage 3 (years 7– 9) we equip girls with the skills to conduct practical investigations and enquiries, manipulate and evaluate data, read and interpret maps and write good English. Our contemporary curriculum explores both physical and human geography within a conceptual framework.
The GCSE syllabus covers some of the most important global issues facing the planet today. Geography provides a global perspective to GCSE studies and helps students develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to deal with the issues which will affect them throughout their life.
The course helps to develop a wide range of skills by using maps of various kinds and scales, analysing graphs, photographs and diagrams, collecting fieldwork data and making reasoned judgments on geographical issues.
How do you prepare for careers which don’t exist yet and ensure you have skills to deal with technologies which are not yet invented? Whether they are taking subjects in the Humanities or Sciences, A-level Geography adds breadth and global perspective to pupils’ studies.
If you enjoy independent research and want to develop written, numerical and investigative skills, if you relish doing practical work outdoors and if you find exploring current events and new places stimulating, Geography is for you!
Meet Miss Williamson, Head of Geography
Miss Williamson is passionate about sharing her love of the outdoors and encouraging girls to be curious and questioning of the world around them. Being a Fellow of the RGS and a Chartered Geographer help her stay connected with developments in Geography teaching for the benefit of pupils’ learning.
At The Maynard, she has enjoyed creating opportunities for girls to explore the outdoors through Geography fieldtrips and expeditions to India, Peru and Tanzania and Costa Rica. She also co-chairs the Exeter branch of the Geographical Association and has recently become a Chartered Teacher.
As Deputy Head of Sixth Form, she is especially interested in successful Post-16 education provision – the focus of her MEd dissertation with the University of Exeter. She hopes a supportive Maynard education will help all girls realise their potential as individuals.
In her spare time, she loves spending time with family, long distance running, playing netball, trekking and travel to far-flung places.
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