Geography

The Geography department at Caterham School consists of four teachers. At GCSE the department follows the Edexcel A specification (1312) and at AS and A2 level follows Edexcel specification (8214 & 9214).

Biographies

Stuart Terrell BA (Hons) MPhil Head of Department

Stuart graduated from Birmingham University in 1997 with a BA (Hons) in Geography and Sport and Exercise Science. He enjoyed being a student so much that he continued for two years to complete an MPhil in Recreation and Environmental Management. His experience of lecturing and tutoring undergraduates convinced him to embark on a teaching career and has never looked back. Having taught at St. Albans School for eight years, he joined the Caterham School Geography Department in 2007. He believes the subjects importance cannot be overstated in light of the current global crises that we are facing poverty, environmental degradation, global warming and the increasing frequency of hazards to name but a few. It can offer insight into the way in which our children can benefit from our actions, rather than pay for our mistakes. His other passions include hockey, cricket, rugby, hiking and music particularly if allowed to perform.

Andion Van Niekerk BA, Teacher of English, Geography and Games. Head of Townsend House

Andion currently teaches Key Stage 3 geography and is Head of Townsend House. Andion holds a BA from the University of Pretoria (SA) and has previously taught in South Africa and Switzerland. A popular member of the department, his pupils enjoy his creative approach to the subject. Andion also teaches in the English Department. Outside the classroom he may be found in the Gym, running the school circus club or helping in the boarding house.

Miss Joanna Woolley MA (Cantab) PGCE (Oxon) Teacher of Geography

Joanna graduated from St John’s College, Cambridge with a BA (Hons) in Geography. She then moved to New College, Oxford to complete her Post Graduate Certificate of Education, before taking up her first teaching post at Trinity School, Croydon. Joanna’s particular fields of subject expertise include; Desert Environments, Glaciology, Fluvial Systems and Volcanology. Outside the classroom she is a keen netball and badminton player and also enjoys swimming, squash, skiing and SCUBA diving.

Vanessa Mesher BA (Hons) PGCE Teacher of Geography

Vanessa studied Geography at Robinson College, Cambridge University, specialising in Human and Historical Geography. She then worked in the oil industry for ten years before training as a Geography Teacher and teaching at Imberhorne School in East Grinstead, a mixed comprehensive. Following a career break raising a family and time as an expatriate in Stockholm, Vanessa chose to return to her teaching career and joined Caterham in 2009.