The Geography Department in Methody aims to give all pupils a wide range of skills, experiences and knowledge that reflects the breadth and changing nature of Geography.  The Department mixes the best of the traditional approaches and values of the subject with new geographical ideas and examples that arise from a constantly changing world.  The Department is also one of the few schools in Northern Ireland that still provides for the study of Geology at GCSE and AS/A2. 

STAFF

• Mr PD Kirk                Head of Geography
• Mrs KM Parks           Head of Geology
• Mr JC Burns              
• MR RT Kenny           
• Mr JA Welshman      
• Mrs A Duckett

All members of the Department contribute much time and expertise to other extra-curricular activities in the school, which includes girls’ and boys’ hockey, cricket, rugby, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES

Recently, teachers have been developing new resources which make the best use of computers, inter-active resources and big screen displays in the classroom. 

CURRICULUM

Form One study is mainly skills-based and introduces pupils to fieldwork, atlas use and map work.  It concludes with a study of our rapidly changing local area of Belfast.  It is very practical and uses a wide range of active learning strategies.

Form Two study begins with the topic of Weather.  It then broadens study with a regional approach.  Two countries, Italy and Kenya, are used to study such things as changing populations, tourism and the lifestyle of the Maasai people.

Form Three pupils continue this regional approach with Brazil and Japan. Pupils look at wider world issues including development, fair trade and aid.  It concludes, where Form One began, with a day trip, fieldwork study to Ballintoy. 

Sixth Form fieldwork on the North Coast of Antrim includes river and beach studies. Pupils learn the benefits and skills of teamwork, data collection and hypothesis testing.

EDUCATIONAL TRIPS AND EXCHANGES

We believe that fieldwork is an essential and practical method of stimulating a sense of wonder in our environment.  Sixth Form students use the spectacular North Antrim Coast for their field studies.