Geography Department

Overview

Geography is taught following the National Curriculum, and provides an in depth, progressive learning experience that focuses on developing skills, global knowledge and global awareness. Every pupil has access to lively, engaging lessons and enthusiastic teaching. A fresh and innovative approach to the subject is taken and this has included the complete re-design of the schemes of learning to provide pupils of all ages the opportunity to investigate a wide range of contemporary topics and develop their understanding of the world around them.

Multiple learning styles are built into every lesson, as are a variety of learning strategies employed to encourage every pupil to become active and engaged geographers. Current media technology plays a crucial part in each key stage and pupils are regularly encouraged to use the internet for research.   Presenting, video pod-casting and film-making are also planned for the new curriculum.

A wide range of assessment strategies are to be employed in order to allow every pupil to best demonstrate their knowledge and understanding throughout the year.

Key Stage 3

The aim of the KS3 curriculum is to develop pupil's interest in Geography and to encourage them to think ‘globally'.  Following discussion with pupils, a diverse range of topics have been planned and are currently being implemented.  These include popular topics, such as rivers, volcanoes and earthquakes, as well as contemporary topics such as ‘Changing China' and ‘Into India'.

Core skills, such as map work at different scales, are to be delivered throughout the course.

The following topics will be studied at Key Stage 3 from September 2011:

It is important to note that the planned units may change as important and relevant events, such as the Japanese Earthquake on 11^th March 2011, happen around the world.

Key Stage 4

GCSE Geography is an increasingly popular option at KS4.   The subject is divided into two topics.

In year 10 pupils study three ‘physical' (natural) Geography topics, then sit a 1 ½ hour exam at the end of the year.  They then complete a local field-study before the summer holidays.

In year 11, the field-study is written up, and then pupils study three ‘human' (people) Geography topics, before sitting a second 1 ½ hour exam at the end of the year.

Each examination is worth 37.5% of the final GCSE, with the field-study making up the final 25%.

Key Stage 5

Geography is offered as an option in the sixth form, with the AQA Specification ‘A' being followed.  This involves four examinations over the two years to achieve a full A2 award.  The course is modular, and examinations can be retaken if candidates fall below their expected level of attainment.

In Year 12, four topics are studied (two ‘physical' and two ‘human').  These gradually build on the knowledge gained at GCSE and develop Geographical understanding further.  However, it is not necessary to have studied GCSE Geography first.  The knowledge from these topics is examined in one 2 hour examination at the end of the year (Geog1).

The second examination is based on Geographical skills.  To prepare for this, a field-study visit is undertaken in order to collect data for analysis back in the classroom.  The data is discussed and studied as a group, and then forms part of a 1 hour examination at the end of the year (Geog2).

In Year 13, two final examinations are taken.  The first examination (Geog3) is related to contemporary Geographical issues.  This builds on understanding from AS, but again enables deeper study of specific issues using a wide range of case-studies from around the globe. This examination is 2 ½ hours.

The final examination (Geog4b) is a 1 ½ hour data-response examination, based on a data booklet released to pupils two months before the examination.  The data is discussed by the class, researched and developed before the examination itself.

Whilst developing a deeper understanding of the human and physical world, A-level Geography provides a broad range of transferable skills which can be simultaneously applied to other courses within the sixth form.  It is highly regarded by Universities around the country as a qualification which can be used to access many diverse degree level courses.