Geography studies the links between people and the natural features and processes of the earth. Without it, how would we know where we are? How would we learn about the future of the planet and what that future holds for us? This planet is your home for the rest of your life. Why not get to know it a little better?
Big geographical questions are a central part of the pupils learning:
- Why do people live where they do?
- How is the earth changing?
- Why are some countries richer than others?
- Why do people live in hazard zones?
Geography teaches pupils to enquire about the world around them and helps them to make sense of the earth and its processes.
Over the course of Key Stage 3 pupil will study:
- Map Skills
- Our amazing world
- Settlement
- Weather and Climate
- Country case study: Kenya
- Economic Activity and Globalisation
- Rivers and coasts
- Tectonic Hazards
- Population and Development
- Superpowers-Brazil, China and India.
Pupils will also have opportunity to take part in local field visits to develop skills of field work, a core element of the subject.
At Key Stage 4 pupils study AQA Geography (8035) GCSE.
Pupils will sit three exams on the different topics as outlined below.
Unit 1: Living with the Physical Environment
For this exam pupils will study the challenge of natural hazards, the living world, physical landscapes in the U.K., and geographical skills.
The exam will be 1 hour and 30 minutes and is worth 35% of the final marks.
Unit 2: Challenges in the human environment.
For this exam pupils will study urban issues and challenges, the changing economic world, the challenge of resource management, and geographical skills.
This exam will be 1 hour and 30 minutes and is worth 35% of the final mark.
Unit 3-Geographical Applications.
For this exam pupils will study issue evaluations, fieldwork topics and geographical skills.
The exam will be 1 hour and 15 minutes and is worth 30% of the final mark.
Pupils are supported in their learning by end of unit exams and feedback sessions to guide their progress and learning.
They can also access online resources from the Edmodo platform that the department has established.
At Key Stage 5 pupils study AQA for Geography at A-Level.
Students will have two different exams at the end of year 13, and an independent study to complete.
The topics they will study are as follows;
Component 1- Physical Geography
For this exam the students will study the water and carbon cycles, coastal systems and landscapes, and hazards.
This exam will be 2 hours and 30 minutes and will be 40% of the final grade.
Component 2-Human Geography.
For this exam the students will study global systems and global governance, changing places, and contemporary urban environments.
This exam will be 2 hours and 30 minutes and will be 40% of the final grade.
Component 3-Geographical Fieldwork Investigation
Students complete an individual investigation of their own choice, collecting primary and secondary data. It can be on any element of the topics covered in the A-Level syllabus. The word count guideline for the investigation is 3-4000 words.
It is worth 20% of the final grade and is marked by teachers and then moderated by the exam board.
Students are supported in their learning through regular one to one feedback sessions, tutorials and a programme of lectures from The Geographical Association. Edmodo – an online platform for sharing information and collaborative resources is also available for students to access.