Geography
Geography provides our students with an opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. We intend to inspire awe and wonder in the physical and human features of our planet through an exploration of the processes which have shaped them. We aspire to provide our students with the ability to comprehend and understand the current, and future, issues in society and the environment, to realise that the actions that we take have consequences, sometimes globally, to appreciate and value the diversity of people’s backgrounds, to help develop well-rounded morally and socially responsible students who are able to successfully take the next steps in their journey.
Our KS3 topics have been chosen as they closely follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study, provide the foundations for the AQA GCSE course, link to our students and their lives, and provide our students with skills and knowledge so that they have a better understanding of the world in which they live.
KEY STAGE 3
The study of geography stimulates an interest in and a sense of wonder about places. It explains where places are, how places and landscapes are formed, how people interact with their environments and how a diverse range of economies, societies and environments are interconnected. It is one of the best placed subjects in school for enabling our students to understand, and make sense of, the world in which they live.
Y7
Geography is introduced through the topics - Where Am I?, Settlement, The Geography of Shopping, Getting Mapwise and Weather and Climate
Y8
Students begin by studying a unit of work focused on the Tropical Rainforest ecosystem. This is followed by units on population, rivers and finally an opportunity to explore the UK – our island home
Y9
Students focus on the Restless Earth, an investigation of Africa, Crime, Development and an investigation of China
There are several key assessments throughout the year for each year group.
CURRICULUM TIME (per week)
KS3: 1 hour
KS4: 4 hours (Y9), 2 hours (Y10), 3 hours (Y11)
KEY STAGE 4
As with the KS3 course, GCSE Geography enables students to develop their understanding and knowledge of our planet and the events and processes that have shaped our past, present and future. The main focus of the course is an understanding of physical processes and factors that produce diverse and dynamic landscapes over time. This includes the interdependence of physical environments and the interaction between people and the environment as well as an understanding of the need for sustainable management of both physical and human environments. Students also learn to appreciate the differences and similarities between people, places and cultures leading to an improved understanding of societies and economies.
To further students’ understanding of what is being taught and the world around them, it is essential to the course that they take part in at least two field visits. Not only do these visits enrich and enhance their learning, build relationships and promote healthy lifestyles but the outcomes are assessed in the 3rd of three final exams.
GCSE ASSESSMENT
The course is assessed through three exam papers, taken at the end of a two year course
Paper 1 – LIVING WITH THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT (35%) Written exam - 1.5 hours
- The Challenge of Natural Hazards: Natural, Tectonic and Weather Hazards, Climate Change
- The Living World: Ecosystems, Tropical Rainforests, Cold Environments
- Physical landscapes in the UK:
- Coastal Landscapes in the UK
- River Landscapes in the UK
Paper 2 – CHALLENGES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT (35%) Written exam - 1.5 hours
- Urban Issues and Challenges
- The Changing Economic World
- The Challenge of Resource Management:
- Resource Management
- Energy Resources
Paper 3 – GEOGRAPHICAL APPLICATIONS AND SKILLS (30%) Written exam - 1.25 hours (Fieldwork, and the ability to use and apply a variety of geographically related skills. Furthermore, the students are also challenged with an issue to evaluate and decide upon)
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Mr. J. Lowry
