Geography at The Maynard is forward thinking, exciting and innovative. We encourage our students to be inquisitive and curious learners, asking questions to interpret the dynamic world around them and responding with resilience and flexibility.
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 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 Lower 4 (year 8) our girls visit the Eden Project and the Jurassic Coast and in Upper 4 (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.
GCSE
Our popular GCSE Geography course follows the AQA specification. During their GCSE course, the girls will develop many of the key skills nurtured at Key Stage 3, including discussion, analysis and evaluating geographical data, information and ideas. There is a balance between Physical Geography (The challenge of Natural Hazards, The Living world-including coastal and river landscapes) and Challenges in the human environment on Geography (Urban challenges, the changing economic world and the challenge of resource management). In addition girls complete an Issue Evaluation and a Fieldwork enquiry.
