Geography

As a department we would like our students to experience a sense of awe and wonder as we explore the geography of the world and UK. As we move through the geographical journey, students will develop knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions that shape the world and closer to home the UK. We shall promote diversity through the students’ studies developing cultural awareness and respect of different communities, including our own British values. We shall encourage our students to be active global citizens through their development of an understanding of the importance of sustainability and the future of the world. Throughout this process we shall be developing and revisiting geographical skills that students can then use in later life.

Our curriculum is designed to develop in students:

• Awe and wonder
• Processes and interactions
• Personal responsibilities
• Locational knowledge
• Essential geographical skills
• Sustainability

Key Stage 3 Geography

Year 7

What is a geographer?

In this module we shall explore what it means to be a geographer. We shall investigate the difference between physical and human geography and learn about the countries of Europe and North and South America. We shall understand how we locate places in the world including latitude and longitude and grid references. We shall also develop our map skills.

How do we use our planet as a natural resource?

In this unit we shall investigate the different elements that make up our planet and how rocks are formed and used in our everyday lives. We study the world’s biomes and look at the features of rainforests. We study how the world uses natural resources like oil and gas and understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.

What is an economy, from local to global?

In this module we shall learn the difference between weather and climate, and the elements that make up the two. We shall learn how to record and present weather data. We shall also consider the different climate zones of the world.

What is weather and climate?

In this module we shall learn the difference between weather and climate, and the elements that make up the two. We shall learn how to record and present weather data. We shall also consider the different climate zones of the world.

Is the geography of Russia a benefit or a curse?

In this module, we focus on the physical geography of Russia, the climate and natural environment and investigate how this affects the population. We also investigate the culture within Russia as well.

Why are rivers important?

Summer We begin by studying the water cycle and how rivers are formed. We explore how erosion transportation and deposition create different landforms along the river. We learn how to recognise these landforms from O/S maps. We conclude by discussing how rivers are important for people.

Year 8 Modules

One planet, many people. How are populations changing?

In this unit we explore the distribution and density of populations globally and how this has changed over time. We investigate how countries like Russia and China try to modify their population characteristics. Migration and the affect this has on areas such as the countryside and cities is also investigated.

What is Development?

We learn what the term development means and how it is measured across the globe. We explore inequalities across the globe and understand how actions by individual governments and communities can help encourage development.

One planet, many people. How are populations changing?

In this unit we explore the distribution and density of populations globally and how this has changed over time. We investigate how countries like Russia and China try to modify their population characteristics. Migration and the affect this has on areas such as the countryside and cities is also investigated.

What happens when the land meets the sea?

We shall develop an understanding of how erosion deposition and transportation create and change coastal landforms over time. We discuss how the coast is used by people and how this leads to different coastal management strategies. We continue to practice our map skills by identifying different coastal landforms.

Diverse and dynamic: How is Asia being transformed.

We investigate the diverse physical and human geography of Asia and how this leads to Asia being considered a continent of change. We consider how Asia is connected with the rest of the world.

Can we ever know enough about earthquakes and volcanoes to live safely?

We shall study the theory of plate tectonics and explore how earthquakes and volcanoes are linked to plate tectonics, and how they are hazards for people living nearby. We shall discover how scientists attempt to predict, manage and prevent these hazards.

What is the future for the planet? A geographer’s view

In this unit we shall investigate the topic of climate change, and explore why it is a controversial topic. We shall look at the evidence for climate change, and the physical and human causes of climate change through history. We shall discuss the possible consequences of climate change for our lives in the future.

Year 9 Modules

What are the opportunities and challenges facing Africa?

This unit introduces the challenges and opportunities facing Africa. It starts with the danger of the single story, encouraging pupils to challenge stereotypical views of this diverse continent. Pupils will explore the physical geography and colonial history of Africa to give them a grounding upon which to build when studying the development of African countries.

How does Ice change the World?

This unit further progresses pupil understanding of the processes of erosion, deposition and transportation through the study of ice and glaciers.

What geography occurs in London?

We bring together the knowledge and understanding developed in Years 7 and 8 to explore the many different physical and human geography characteristics that make our capital city a unique landscape.

The geography of the Middle East

The Middle East is of major world importance and is often in the news and we learn why this is. We learn about the complex nature of the region’s ethnic population distribution, the significance of oil, contrasting levels of development and the ongoing conflicts and wars.

Does Canvey Island need a new road? A DME.

In this module we use the geographical skills developed over the course of Key Stage 3 to investigate a local issue, traffic congestion to nd from Canvey Island at rush hour. We explore whether it is possible to solve this issue by building a new road to Canvey Island, and if built what the impacts would be.

A planet of Factfullness

Our final module for Key Stage 3 explores the planet through the common misconceptions that the general public have of our planet, and how as geographers we see the planet in a different perspective.

Key Stage 4 Geography

We follow the AQA Geography GCSE course. This is an exciting and relevant course studying both physical and human themes and the links between them. Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs). Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.

Assessment is through three examinations:

• Paper 1 - Living with the physical environment
• Paper 2 - Challenges in the human environment
• Paper 3 - Geographical applications

Examinations are for the full ability range (9-1), so there is no tier system (Foundation and Higher papers) as in some subjects. All of the papers are taken at the end of year 11 and the course is 100% assessed through examination.

Key Stage 5 Geography.

We follow the AQA A Level geography course, which as been designed to challenge perceptions and stimulate investigative and analytical skills, through the study of human and physical geography topics.

Physical geography

Water and carbon cycles Coastal systems and landscapes Hazards

Human geography

Global systems and global governance Changing places Population and the environment

Students also complete a personal fieldwork investigation which is 20% of the final grade.

Assessment is through two exam papers and one personal fieldwork investigation.

Paper 1 - Physical Geography

Paper 2 - Human Geography

Geography fieldwork investigation.

If you have any queries regarding our Curriculum please contact us.