The Third Form curriculum has been completely re-written for introduction in September 2008. The rational behind this change was to improve links and continuity of learning with the Prep School and to try and expand the course to give the opportunity for students to explore the diverse range of topics covered by Geography in the 21st Century.

Geography is blessed with access to an incredible range of resouces and stimulus material. From Google Earth to 3D mapping and from live news feeds via the BBC News websites to new TV series such as Planet Earth: Power of the Planet there has never been a more exciting time to learn or to study Geography.

The syllabus for the year will broadly follow the topics listed below although the course has been designed with flexibility in mind in order to respond to relevant current events.

Hazardous Environments
Vocanoes, earthquakes, tsunami, droughts, wildfires, avalanches, hurricanes will all be studied from the theory behind each natural process to the varying impacts natural disasters have on the human and natural environement. Case studies from around the world will be used to make the topic come to life.

Introduction to Geology
It is important for everyone to have a concept of geological time if nothing else so that we understand the short period of time that humans have occupied the Earth and yet caused such significant level of change. We will follow this up by studying different types of rocks and the landscapes they form.

Maps
In recent years maps have been rather neglected in Geography and it is good to see the revised GCSE and A Level courses increasing their emphasis on map work. We will introduce pupils to a wide range of maps and aim to integrate them fully in each of the taught units.

Geography of Today 
This broad-ranging topic is designed to allow individual teachers and pupils to suggest topics for study. With ideas already including the Geography of disease, war, debt, climate change, poverty, child labour, water, food miles and many more we are confident this will be a popular and stimulating unit.

Geography of Edinburgh 
We feel it is important for our pupils to have a good awareness of the city which is to be their home for much fo the year. Following on from a study of the immediate environement which is to form part of the new 2nd Form course in the Prep School we hope to intoduce pupils to the fascinating physical and human geography of Edinburgh. We will have the opportunity to visit the volcanic heart of the city that is Arthurs' Seat as well as making use of internet resources to conduct virtual fieldwork elsewhere.

Tourism 
Over the last 50 years, tourism has developed into the world's largest and fastest growing industry. With so many destinations and types of tourism to study, including the recent surge in popularity of eco-tourism this is bound to be an interesting topic!

Introduction to Third Form Field Week
The final unit of the year will allow us to prepare students for the week-long trip to the CairngormNational Park in June. We will look at the impacts of glaciation on the Scottish landscape and discuss the importance of tourism to settlements such as Aviemore. In addition we will look at the multitude of user groups and enjoy some interesting debates as we consider all the different conflicts and viewpoints involved. On the trip itself, students will have the opportunity to experience the more practical side of Geography which sees many of them excel!