Welcome to the Geography Department at BIS Abu Dhabi! Our department is committed to providing a rich and engaging educational experience that fosters a deep appreciation for the diverse landscapes, cultures, and environments that make up our planet.
On our department page, you will find a wealth of information about the exciting units of study that your child will undertake throughout the year. From the fundamentals of physical geography to the complexities of human geography, our curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity and critical thinking. Additionally, we have created a list of supporting websites that students can access to enhance their learning experience. These resources will not only reinforce classroom teaching but also encourage independent research and aid revision.
Our dedicated and experienced staff members are here to support your child's academic journey. You will find contact details for each of our team members below, and we encourage open communication between parents, students, and teachers. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and we are here to collaborate and ensure their success.
We look forward to a year filled with exciting discoveries, insightful discussions, and a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Together, we will nurture a passion for geography and empower our students to become informed global citizens. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education, and please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Our current learning
In the second term of Year 11, students will continue their geographical journey focusing on topics from Paper 1. Students will also revisit previous topics, such as globalization from Year 10, linking them to the global food trade and the impact of industrialization on economies. As the term progresses, they will transition into exploring issues of food security and how global inequalities in food distribution highlight wider development challenges. Towards the end of Term 2, the focus will shift to Paper 4. This practical learning involves a school trip where they will apply geographical field techniques in preparation for their Paper 4 examination. Activities such as creating transects, conducting land-use surveys, and gathering data through questionnaires will give students hands-on experience in how fieldwork contributes to understanding real-world geographical issues.
Curriculum Overview
New Starters
Below is a list of items required not only for your initial Geography lesson but also for all subsequent lessons at BIS Abu Dhabi.
- Bring your own device so you can access online resources that will be used during the lesson.
- Make sure you have Microsoft Teams and OneNote downloaded on your laptop as both will be used in the classroom.
- Stationary; A black or blue pen, a pencil for drawing maps, diagrams, and sketches, a ruler to draw straight lines and measure distances accurately, an eraser for correcting mistakes and making neat, clean notes and colouring pencils for adding colour to maps and diagrams as needed.
- You will be provided with an exercise book when you arrive in class and your teacher will add you to the class Teams page or OneNote where you will have access to all of the work done previously.
Resources List
These are the most common websites used within Geography.
| Name | URL |
|---|---|
| BBC Bitesize | Geography - BBC Bitesize |
| Internet Geography | Home - Internet Geography |
| Seneca Learning | Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2 (senecalearning.com) |
| Geography Pods | GEOGRAPHY FOR 2023 & BEYOND - Home (geographypods.com) |
Assessments and Revision
Throughout this rigorous IGCSE Geography course, students are expected to maintain a consistent and disciplined approach to their studies by engaging in continuous revision throughout the two-year course. This practice is crucial for achieving a deep and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. To support this endeavour, students are encouraged to utilise a variety of resources, including digital textbooks, revision materials provided by their teachers, and educational websites specifically curated for Geography. Moreover, students are expected to integrate their own class notes into their revision process, thus reinforcing their learning and personalising their study experience. By embracing this proactive approach to revision, IGCSE Geography students can maximize their potential and excel in their examinations while gaining a profound grasp of the subject's core concepts.
| Name | Dates |
|---|---|
| Geography Mock Exam | Dates to be confirmed |
| End of Topic exam practice questions | End of Term and End of Topic |
| Revision booklets and digtal copies of the textbook provided | End of each topic |
Meet the team
| Name | Postiion | |
|---|---|---|
| Louise stanier | Head of Humanities | Louise.stanier@bisad.ae |
| Victoria Juett | Assistant Head of Teaching and Learning | Victoria.juett@bisad.ae |
| Victoria Collinson | Teacher of Geography | Victoria.collinson@bisad.ae |
| Andrew Fairbank | Teacher of Geography | Andrew.fairbank@bisad.ae |
| Sam Barnett | Teacher of Geography | sam.barnett@bisad.ae |