Geography

The study of Geography allows students to understand and appreciate the world around them, and is a core subject in both the Junior Cycle and Transition Year programmes. In the Senior Cycle, Geography is offered as a subject option. Geography is a very popular choice and is taken by a large number of students each year.

Geography students explore both the physical and human worlds. Their exploration of the subject allows them to experience, study and analyse a wide diversity of topics. For example, from how a river erodes its environment to how human use of the urban environment is causing catastrophic pollution and poisoning of that environment.

The Junior and Leaving Certificate syllabuses prompt the student to ask questions such as: How does the process work? Why does it happen? What are the implications? Where are the examples in the world? The skills necessary to find answers to these questions are taught using local, national and international examples. As part of their studies, students work in the classroom, carry out individual research work and participate in geographical fieldwork investigations. Regular homework is seen as an essential part of the learning process within the subject for all class groups.

Geography is a compulsory core subject to the end of the Junior Cycle. The subject is taught in conjunction with the annual Young Social Innovator competition for two classes a week in Transition Year. Five classes a week are offered to students at Leaving Certificate level. 85% of students routinely sit the subject at higher level as part of their Leaving Certificate exams.