Geography
Key Stage 3
The national curriculum for geography aims to ensure that all pupils:
Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes
Understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time
Are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
Collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.
Year 7
During the first lesson there is a baseline test.
In the autumn (1) students study the UK and find about the country we live in.
In autumn (2) students focus on settlement and shopping.
In spring (1) students will learn how to read different types of maps.
In spring (2) students will find out about tourism.
Finally for the summer term students will discover all about Japan.
Year 8
In the autumn (1) students will discover all about China.
In autumn (2) students will find out about the importance of industry.
In spring (1) students will learn about Europe and Italy.
In spring (2) students will find out about weather and climate.
Finally for the summer term students will focus on rivers and flooding.
Year 9
In the autumn (1) students study natural hazards.
In autumn (2) students focus on tsunamis.
In spring (1) students will learn how assess a country’s level of development.
In spring (2) students will find out about Africa.
In summer (1) students will understand the different arguments about climate change.
Finally for the summer (2) term students will focus on glaciation.
Key Stage 4
Qualification: GCSE Geography
Examination Board: AQA
Unit 1: Living with the Physical Environment – You will discover how rivers, seas and plate tectonics shape the land and how they affect our lives. You will find out the characteristics of ecosystems at different scales and threats to biodiversity.
Unit 2: Challenges in the Human Environment – You will investigate global trends and patterns, the impacts of rapid urbanisation and the resulting opportunities in two contrasting cities. You will also look at the complexities of measuring development and the ways in reducing the development gap.
Unit 3: Geographical Applications – This is in two sections. In section A, you will learn about an issue, study the possible options and then make a decision. You will need to consider the effects on all the people involved. In Section B you will need to undertake two geographical enquires, each one must include the use of primary data, collected as part of a fieldwork exercise.
Three written papers, with Units 1 and 2 being 1 hour and 30 minutes in length each and Unit 3 being 1 hour. (All taken in Year 11):
Unit 1 Living with the Physical Environment worth 35%
Unit 2 Challenges in the Human Environment worth 35%
Unit 3 Geographical Applications worth 30%
Controlled assessment – There is no controlled assessment with this syllabus
