Geography
Geography is the study of the world. It helps us understand how landscapes are formed, how cultures differ and how people interact with our environment. Geography is a diverse subject, where we look at everything from glaciers to city development, volcanoes to malaria, sustainable cities to rainforests.
Even if a student’s future career appears to have little to do with Geography, its study will have increased their awareness of relevant issues around the world and what is going on in the world and he/she will have developed skills which will be of use throughout life.
Staff
Kathryn Howes (Mat Leave)
Kirsty McLean
Courses taught (BGE and Senior phase)
S1 - Units on Scotland, USA and Africa
S2 - Rainforests, Earth forces, Map Skills, Plastics
S3 - Sustainability, Climate Change, Farming, Rivers, Field Skills
S4 - Weather, Limestone, Urban, Population, Tourism
Higher - Physical environments (Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere) Human Environments ( Population, Urban, Rural) Global Issues (Climate change, Development and Health)
AH Geography - See Course Specification
Others Subjects
Climate change and sustainability (NPA)
Scottish Studies (N4)
Travel and Tourism (N4/5)
Environmental Science (N4/5)
Homework requirements
BGE - One or 2 larger pieces of homework each term plus completing work not finished in class
Senior Phase - Revision and homework which supports revision.
Assessment details
BGE - a variety of topic tests and independent projects. Assessments are both written and verbal.
Senior Phase
National 5
Study a combination of Physical Environments (Weather, Rivers and Limestone), Humans Environments (Rural, Urban, Population), and Global issues (Climate Change, Tourism) .
Assessment
Made up of two components,
Assignment - worth 20% of the final grade
Exam paper - worth 80% of the final grade
Higher
Study a combination of Physical Environments (Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere and Lithsophere), Humans Environments (Rural, Urban, Population), and Global issues (Climate Change, Development and Health) .
Assessment
Made up of three components,
Assignment - worth 28% of the final grade
Exam papers - worth 72% of the final grade
Paper 1 - Human and physical Environments
Paper 2 - Map Skills, Global Issues
Advanced Higher
The AH course is made up of two component parts.
The Exam 50 marks (33% of final grade) - candidate must demonstrate a range of geographical methods and techniques including:
- Map interpretation (20marks).
- Gathering and processing techniques (10marks)
- Geographical data handling (20marks)
Project folio 67% of the candidates final grade. The project folio is completed independently throughout the year and is made up of two pieces of work
Geographical Study - 60 marks 40% of overall grade.
- Independent research topic
- Applied geographical methods and techniques
- Evaluation skills
Geographical issues 40marks 27% of overall grade
- Independent topic
- Critical evaluation of complex issue
- Interpreting and presenting a wide range of viewpoints.
Travel and Tourism
In this course pupils will produce a folio of work which will be assessed. They will undertake 4 units of work Tourism in Scotland, Tourism World Wide, Employability, Customer Service.
As part of the course pupils will undergo a work placement in a travel and tourism related industry. This will be the minimum of 3 afternoons. Pupils will undergo World Host training, a customer service training program run across Scotland and accepted by employers around the world.
Climate Change and Sustainability NPA
This course is made up of two units
- Climate change
- Sustainability
Course is assessed by two internally marked assessments pupils must get 50% or more to pass.
Scottish Studies
This course is made up of 4 units
- Scotland in Focus
- Scottish Tourism
- Scottish Landscapes
- Scottish history
The assessment is folio based with each unit ending with independent pieces of work demonstrating what has been learnt with the topic. These assessment are open book so pupils can use information collected throughout the course to help them complete the task.
Helpful revision websites
SQA Geography Past Papers
https://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=geography
BBC Bitsize - Geography
https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/znbw2hv - National 5
https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zmhs34j - Higher
Revision websites
https://mrsgeographyblog.wordpress.com/about/
https://www.coolgeography.co.uk/#google_vignette
Links to wider achievements
Geography links both social and natural sciences. It also inspires multiple art disciplines. It is a truly interdisciplinary subject that can be used in a huge variety of careers.
Interdisciplinary skills
Strengthens students ability to see connections between different fields of knowledge when addressing complex and real work issues such as climate change and global conflict.
Applied Practical skills
Fieldwork and geographical inquiry are fundamental to the subject. They allow students to collect, analyze, and interpret information firsthand. This practical experience builds skills in:
- Data analysis: Handling both qualitative and quantitative data, including "big data," to solve problems.
- Geospatial technology: Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), maps, and other digital tools to analyze and present information.
- Investigative skills: Developing research questions, applying appropriate techniques, and communicating findings.
Personal and social development
By studying the interactions between people, places, and environments, geography fosters critical personal and social attributes.
- Global citizenship: Learning about diverse cultures and complex global issues encourages empathy, civic engagement, and a sense of social and moral responsibility.
- Independent thinking: Extended research and open-ended tasks foster an independent and critical approach to learning.
- Communication and teamwork: Fieldwork and collaborative projects hone skills in verbal communication and presenting findings to different audiences.
Real-world relevance
Geography addresses pressing modern-day issues, from sustainability and resource management to urban regeneration and economic development. This focus on applied, real-world problems helps students develop valuable skills for the world of work and everyday life. Geography's broad scope means it is relevant for careers in many sectors, including law, business, conservation, and urban planning.
Examples of geographical wider achievement
- Fieldwork and expeditions: Participating in local or residential trips to collect and analyze data. This develops investigative, teamwork, and independence skills.
- Volunteering and community projects: Engaging in local environmental initiatives, such as conservation work or urban regeneration projects. This demonstrates civic engagement and social responsibility.
- Independent projects: Undertaking research beyond the curriculum, such as an independent investigation for an A-Level, which demonstrates advanced research and critical thinking skills.
- Youth awards: Working towards awards like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Fieldwork and navigation skills developed in geography can directly contribute to sections of these qualifications.
- Geographical societies: Joining societies or contributing to school publications. This shows a passion for the subject and encourages broader reading and engagement.
History
Our main goal in the History Department is to widen our pupils’ understanding of the world, by tracing back the story of how we arrived in the present, whether that is in Scotland, in Britain or in the World in General.
We try to explore the role of Great Powers in the world like the U.S.A of the British Empire as well as examining the impact of Imperialism on historically weaker continents like Africa and Asia. We explore several examples of successful resistance against a dominant power which remain relevant to world politics today.
We hope that by the end of S2 pupils will have examined history in their own country, but also in all the continents of the world, and that they will have acquired the skills that enable them to research and understand the basic story and composition of any country.
For those pupils who choose to take the subject further in S3, we hope to broaden and deepen their understanding of the world still further and also refine the following skills:
- Critically examining written text
- Focussed persuasive writing
- Verbal presentation skills
Trips include
- WW1 Historylinks trip (S3)
- Battlefields Trip (S4)
- Northern Ireland Trip (S5/6)
- Auschwitz Trip (S6)
Staff
Ms Seonad MacLean
Courses taught (BGE and Senior phase)
First Year
In S1 we take a whole Social Subjects department approach by completing whole ‘Country Studies’ looking at the History, Geography, Politics and Religion of various locations simultaneously.
Term 1 - We look at Scotland where historical aspects include the origin of the Scottish State and its contribution to modern history. We also explore personal heritage by researching personal family trees.
Term 2 - For our study of the USA the historical aspect includes the assasination of JFK in the context of the Cold War in the 1960s.
Term 3 - For our study of the African continent the historical aspect includes an in-depth look at the fight against Apartheid in South Africa 1950 - 1998.
Second Year
In S2 we begin the following in depth historical studies:
Term 1 - America and the War in Vietnam in the 1960s
Term 2 - History of the Jewish Diaspora including Medieval Persecution and the Holocaust
Term 3 - Witch Trials in Scotland under James IV.
Third Year
S3 - We begin our N5 course, by exploring the following two examinable topics:
Term 1 + 2 - Scotland and the Great War (1914 - 1918)
Term 3 - Free at Last - Civil Rights in the U.S.A
Fourth Year
In S4 We complete our N5 course by finishing our assignments and exploring the third and final examinable topic:
Term 1 - Complete Free at Last - Civil Rights in the U.S.A topic.
Term 2 - N5 Assignment
Term 3 - British Topic - ‘The Making of Modern Britain’ (Poverty and Reform) and Revision.
Fifth and Sixth Year
In S5/6 our Higher Course is completed usually over one year. Topics covered are as follows:
Term 1 - British Topic - The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Term 2 - World Topic - Germany 1915 - 1939
Term 3 - Scottish Topic - Migration and Empire
Homework Requirements
S1 + 2 - One reading task per topic
S3 + 4 - One Weekly exam style question.
S5 + 6 - Weekly Essay completion
Assessment details
Assessment and feedback is an ongoing and informal process throughout all phases of teaching in the history department.
In S1 - S2 pupils will also be expected to complete formal assessments at the end of each unit. This might include writing an essay, sitting a traditional test, or doing a class presentation depending on the unit.
Once we begin N5 and Higher certificate classes, assessments continue at the end of each unit, but take on the format of N5 or Higher exams with exam style questions.
In addition to this there are end of year prelims which again take the format of N5 or Higher exams.
Family learning/useful resources
National 5 History - BBC Bitesize
Higher History - Course overview and resources - SQA
National 5 History - Course overview and resources - SQA
Films that would supplement learning / generate conversations:
S1
Braveheart
JFK
Jackie
Long Walk to Freedom
S2
Good morning Vietnam
Schindler’s List
The Crucible
S3
1917
Suffragette
The Butler
Selma
S4
Malcolm X
Oliver Twist (BBC Series on Iplayer)
S5/6
Belfast
‘71
Rise of Evil
Ghandi
Links to wider achievements
Pupils that get involved with the History Department also have the opportunity to contribute to whole school events including
- Leading the Remembrance Gathering at Dornoch Cathedral
- Leading Holocaust Memorial Events in the school
- Presentations for VE day and VJ celebrations outwith the school
In the coming year we also hope to link our work around the Holocaust into the creation of a Peace Garden in the school to promote mental wellbeing.
Pupils also have the opportunity to channel their learning into creative responses in creative writing, music, art and drama.
Any other useful information
If you have any experiences you would like to share with our classes relevant to the topics we cover, (or otherwise!) we would be very happy to hear from you. All suggestions/ feedback welcome: seonad.maclean@highland.gov.uk
Modern Studies
Staff
Mr Maclean
Mr Newman
Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS) offers pupils a dynamic and meaningful exploration of belief, values and ethics in the modern world. Our aim is to nurture thoughtful, compassionate and reflective young people who can ask challenging questions and think critically with curiosity, insight and respect. Through engaging discussion and enquiry, learners explore a wide range of worldviews, beliefs and moral issues, developing an understanding of perspectives beyond their own while building confidence in expressing and justifying their views. The department supports pupils to grow as global citizens, encouraging cultural awareness and empathy. Core skills developed include research, analysis and evaluation, interpretation of religious and philosophical sources, and clear, informed communication using subject-specific vocabulary and concepts. We provide exciting learning experiences beyond the classroom, with residential trips to Edinburgh and London, enhancing pupils’ cultural, historical and spiritual understanding. RMPS is offered through National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, all providing excellent academic progression. The Russell Group of top universities recognises Religious Studies as valuable preparation for university level study, with its academic rigour and relevance. Our subject equips young people with insight, understanding and skills for life, learning and future success.
Staff
Archie Maclean
Courses taught (BGE and Senior phase)
S1 - S4 core
National 4/5 RMPS
Higher RMPS
Advanced Higher RMPS
