Geography department
Geography is a taught as a discrete subject Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, and by five specialist Geography
teachers. The Geography department aims to ensure that students develop a sense of wonder and
excitement, and a strong and critical understanding of the human and physical world, alongside a desire for
further knowledge and enquiry. There are four Geography classes in each of Years 10 and 11 (Edexcel),
and a further two at both AS and A-Level (Edexcel, focusing on Global Challenges, Geographical
Investigations, Contested Planet and Geographical Research).
Flexible Learning Day activities include a Year 8 walking tour analysing of the regeneration of Maidenhead,
undertaken in conjunction with the Science department, and GCSE visits to the Natural History Museum.
The Geography department organises field visits to the Braywick Nature Reserve as part of GCSE
students’ Controlled Assessment preparation, while Year 12 Geography students visit Flatford Mill in
Suffolk and the Field Studies Centre in Dorset. Students are also involved in a wide variety of extracurricular projects, including the Sustainability in Action group.
Current Staffing:
Ms Pippa Evans – Head of Geography
Ms Grainne Sloyan – Geography Teacher
Mrs Lucy Brewster – Geography Teacher
Mrs Debbie Brennan – Geography Teacher
Mr James Sheppard – Geography Teacher and Assistant Headteacher
Newly qualified teachers benefit from a tailored mentoring programme with a subject specialist, as
well as with the school NQT Co-Ordinator. This adds to the whole school induction and support
provision which is well established at Furze Platt. All staff benefit from a professional development
programme which is tailored to their individual requirements, and which includes coaching within
and outside the department, and a range of working parties focusing on aspects of outstanding
teaching. Middle and senior leaders are supported through qualifications such as the National
Professional Qualification for Middle Leaders (MPQML) and the National Professional Qualification
for Senior Leaders (NPQSL). Furze Platt is the lead school for Teach Maidenhead, delivering firstclass teacher training in conjunction with the Institute of Education in London. It is the lead school
for the delivering of Science professional development for Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead.
RE is taught with PSHE and Learning to Learn as a subject called ‘Core’ in Year 7. RE is a discrete subject
in Years 8 and 9, and all students follow the full GCSE course (AQA) in Years 10-11. The RE department,
consisting of two specialist teachers plus teachers from elsewhere within Humanities, aims to ensure that
students have a clear understanding of their own faith and that of others within their local, national and
global community. The department has strong links to different religious organisations: visits to local
religious sites take place, and people of faith regularly work both with RE classes and the whole school.
The RE department recently led a very successful Flexible Learning Day, which focused on the religious
significance of Jerusalem.
Government and Politics is taught to AS and A-Level (AQA), with two classes in each year group. The
Politics department aims to develop students’ understanding of political institutions, structures, theories and
practices, with a particular focus on Britain and the USA. The teaching of Economics is currently shared
between Humanities and Business Studies teachers. There are two classes at both AS and A-Level (AQA).
Economics teachers develop a critical understanding of macro- and microeconomic issues, in order to
understand contemporary economic issues including government policy, inflation, unemployment and
economic growth. Sociology is taught to AS and A-Level (AQA), with two classes in each year group. The
Sociology department aims to develop students’ understanding of all aspects of contemporary society, and
to develop a critical and evaluative response in students. Specifically, the Sociology course focuses on
identity, culture, families and households, wealth and welfare, health, media, power and crime.
Psychology is a very popular subject, with three groups at AS-Level and a further two at A2 level (AQA).
The Psychology department aims to develop a questioning and enquiring approach to the study of the
human mind, and focuses specifically on cognitive, developmental, behavioural, and social psychology, in
addition to psychopathology. Students supplement their AS and A-Level studies by choosing between
General Studies AS and A-Level (OCR) and the increasingly popular Extended Project Qualification (AQA).
Continued Professional Development
Newly qualified teachers benefit from a tailored mentoring programme with a subject specialist, as well as
with the school NQT Co-ordinator. This adds to the whole school induction and support provision which is
well established at Furze Platt. All staff benefit from a professional development programme which is
tailored to their individual requirements. This includes coaching and a range of working parties focusing on
aspects of outstanding teaching. Middle and senior leaders are supported through qualifications such as
the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leaders (NPQML) and the National Professional
Qualification for Senior Leaders (NPQSL). Furze Platt is the lead school for ‘Teach Maidenhead’, delivering
first class teacher training in conjunction with the Institute of Education in London. Science professional
development for teachers in Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead is also coordinated by our school.