“What is our knowledge worth if we know nothing about the world that sustains us, nothing about natural systems and climate, and nothing about other countries and cultures?”

(Jonathan Porritt, an environmentalist)

At The British School, Geography is an important part of the curriculum throughout all Key Stages. We are lucky that our host country is so interesting in geographical terms for students (and teachers of Geography for that matter!). Nepal is a country where the elevation ranges from near sea level to the highest point on earth, making Nepal a fascinating place to study physical geography. The study of human geography is enhanced by the fact that Nepal has been described as the ‘ethnic turntable of Asia’.

At TBS we adapt the UK National Curriculum allowing students to develop the geographical skills that are taught in the UK, while remaining relevant to students in an international context. These skills include aspects of presentation, interpretative skills and map skills. ICT is widely used in teaching geography. All students carry out and enjoy appropriate aspects of fieldwork which allow us to take Geography outside the classroom. Regular trips include a river study in the jungles of Southern Nepal, trips to the Kathmandu Valley rim and adjacent valleys and a settlement enquiry in Kathmandu city centre.

Geography is a compulsory part of our Key Stage 3 programme and is a popular option in Key Stage 4 and in the Sixth Form, where we follow the IGCSE and AS/A Level syllabi.

Geography in the Secondary Section

In the Secondary Section, students have the opportunity to study a wide range of geographical topics. They study physical geography which includes studies and investigations into landforms and how they are always changing, the climate and why it is different in different parts of the world. They also consider different types of ecosystems.

In human geography students look at population dynamics, economic activities and patterns of settlement. They also study the impact, positive and negative, of humans on the physical environment which raises issues such as global warming, conservation and the use of resources.

Geography is a compulsory part of our Key Stage 3 programme and is a popular option in Key Stage 4, where we follow the IGCSE syllabus (Cambridge 0460) and at A Level where we follow the AS/A Level syllabus (Cambridge 9696).