Geography

At Key Stage 3, students are given the opportunity to embrace a mixture of human and physical topics, so that they develop a well-rounded, holistic understanding of the world around them. Students get the opportunity to develop numerous transferable skills such as:

• Personalised independent learning
• Communication skills
• Evaluative skills through making decisions on complex global issues
• Interpersonal skills through debate and discussion
• Literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills

By the end of KS3 students should be able to make connections in their learning and use their knowledge with increasing fluency in different and more complex situations, as well as using the geographical skills and personal development they have learnt over the three KS3 years.

Topics studied:

Year 7

• Where I live & Map skills
• Weather and Climate
• Cold Environments and Glaciation
• China

Year 8

• Earthquakes and Volcanoes
• Geography of Crime
• Coastal landforms
• Africa/Nigeria
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Change

Year 9

• Middle East
• Living world
• Global Superpowers
• Urbanisation
• Alternative Tourism
• Fieldwork

How are pupils assessed?

Students are assessed at the end of each topic. Their progress is monitored so that we can ensure that we support them in their areas of difficulty. Lessons are planned to be engaging and challenging, encouraging students to become increasingly confident and reflective learners. The knowledge and skills acquired at KS3 provide students with the foundation needed to excel at GCSE Geography.

Our Expectations:

Geography is a dynamic and fast-changing subject; it is in the news around us daily, whether that be a volcano erupting in Tonga, a civil war in Yemen or the geopolitics behind the Cost of Living Crisis. Students are expected to engage in all lessons and undertake further research in their own time using websites like BBC News and other verified sources. By deepening students’ understandings of local, national and international issues they will be able to critically analyse and understand why certain issues in the world arise and potential solutions.

Students at KS4 have the option of studying the AQA GCSE Geography specification A course. The Geography GCSE course enables pupils to learn about national and international issues, and stretches them to evaluate the various solutions to these problems. Through the course, pupils explore issues of development. For example, pupils learn how development is measured using development indicators, how the human and physical characteristics of countries differ based on the stage of development the country is in, why countries are at different stages of development, and the strategies that have been put in place to reduce the development gap. Through the course pupils also develop environmental knowledge, by studying the formation of various landforms, and the characteristics of different biomes and ecosystems. As part of this enquiry process, students are encouraged to use integrated geographical skills, fieldwork and appropriate mathematical and statistical skills, in order to critically approach geographical questions and issues.

Geography allows students to:

• Actively engage in the process of geography to develop as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.
• Develop their knowledge and understanding of geographical concepts and appreciate the relevance of these concepts to our changing world.
• Develop a framework of spatial awareness in which to appreciate the importance of the location of places and environments from local to global.
• Understand the significance of values and attitudes to the development and resolution of issues.
• Develop their responsibility as global citizens and recognise how they can contribute to a future that is sustainable and inclusive.
• Develop and apply their learning to the real world through fieldwork and other out of classroom learning.

Summary of Assessment

Career Value:

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving

70% Grades 9-4 in Geography

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 60% grades 9-4.

Students are expected to attend intervention lessons during lunchtimes and after school to aid them with reaching their potential target. These sessions are very important as they provide intense mentoring; therefore your support is very much appreciated.

Geography club

Every Tuesday lunchtime- A great opportunity to explore the magical world of geography.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/

http://www.kids.nationalgeographic.com