Curriculum

Geography

Why study Geography?

Students can only have an awareness of where they are in the world if they have a comprehensive knowledge of the world. We use concepts of space and place as examples of the ‘lenses’ through which geographers view the world in order to understand how the world works. Where do they sit compared to other people? How does their experience, their status, and their identity compare with the rest of the world? Geography helps students understand how the world works and gives a solid grounding before they go to visit places. Geography teaches the students to investigate how other cultures work and how the world can be dangerous as well as beautiful. Geography teaches students to be aware that the world is constantly changing and that being factual and precise can be as important as being imaginative. In short, Geography surrounds us in everyday life and helps students understand their place in the world and how local actions can have global effects.

How will I study Geography?

Students study geography by looking at the world through the big questions. How do we reduce food scarcity? What challenges does the Middle East face? To answer any of the big enquiry questions, students must first develop a sound understanding of the key geographical concepts that underpin them. The geomorphological processes underpinning the physical geography enquiries, an understanding of the unequal resources and implications around the world and most importantly human stakeholder decision making. 

 

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

Over the three-year KS3, students cover a wide range of human and physical topics which demonstrate the interconnectedness of the world and its people. Case studies and enquiries cover concepts at a variety of scales, local, national, and international. Geography lessons equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

At KS4 students follow the AQA GCSE Geography programme of study. This builds on the foundation they developed throughout KS3 and is spread across three different papers. Paper one focuses on the physical landscape and how humans are interconnected and affected by the earth’s physical processes. There are three topics, UK Physical Landscapes (rivers and coasts), The Living World (tropical rainforests and cold environments) and The Challenge of Natural Hazards. Paper 2 focuses on issues in the human environment through studies of Urban Issues and Challenges, The Changing Economic World and Managing Resources. For the last paper, students demonstrate their geographical skills and developed ability to ‘think like a geographer’ to explore fieldwork investigations and a contemporary issue evaluation and decision making exercise. Pupils also complete required fieldwork as part of the specification requirements.

 

Curriculum Overview
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
  • Fantastic places
  • Terrifying tectonics
  • Population boom
  • Crazy cities
  • Controversial coasts
  • Investigating weather
  • Middle East
  • River rivals
  • Food and famine
  • Endless energy
  • Climate change
  • Polar environments
  • Colossal China
  • Global oceans
  • Ocean ecosystems and governance
  • Global economy
  • Development disparity
  • Glaciation

 

Year 10 Year 11
  • Changing Economic World
  • Urban Issues and Challenges
  • The Challenge of Resource Management
  • Physical landscapes in the UK (coasts)
  • Physical landscapes in the UK (rivers)
  • The Living World
  • Challenge of Natural Hazards
  • Geographical Skills, Pre Release
  • Revision

 

Assessment

Exam Board Specification: AQA GCSE Geography (8035)

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment

Overview Focus
  • Written exam (1 hour 30 minutes)
  • 88 marks
  • 35% of GCSE
  • The challenge of natural hazards; The living world; Physical landscapes in the UK; Geographical skills)

Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment

Overview Focus
  • Written exam (1 hour 30 minutes)
  • 88 marks
  • 35% of GCSE
  • Urban issues and challenges; The changing economic world; The challenge of resource management; Geographical skills

Paper 3: Geographical applications

Overview Focus
  • Written exam (1 hour 15 minutes)
  • 76 marks
  • 30% of GCSE
  • Issue evaluation; Fieldwork; Geographical skills

 

Enrichment Offer 

The Department organises a range of fieldwork opportunities throughout the year. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the Academy in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.

careers

The study of Geography can lead to future careers ranging from landscaping, Countryside Officer, Urban Developer to Ecologist, Conservationist and Community Cohesion Officer. Famous Geography graduates include Theresa May (Prime Minister), Ben Fogle (TV presenter, Ambassador for WWF).