Geography

Geography

Head of Department: Mr Master-Jewitt

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Students should acquire a growing awareness of how the study of geography can help them understand places, patterns and processes in both the physical and human environment. Their geographical knowledge and understanding will be developed through the study of a range of topics that include: rivers and flooding; the Indian Ocean tsunami; weather and climate; living and working in the UK and settlement geography. They should be able to demonstrate an understanding of geographical enquiry and competence in the use of a variety of geographical skills to collect, present and interpret and analyse both primary and secondary data.

Year 8

Students should be able to demonstrate an increasing knowledge and understanding of geomorphological processes and their effects on landscapes and people through the study of coastal and glacial environments. They should be able to describe and explain the causes and consequences of key global issues e.g. climate change; energy issue; endangered habitats and species; food problems - hunger and obesity; poverty and inequality; globalisation - fashion and football. They should be able to develop their own views and opinions about these global issues and identify and evaluate differing strategies for managing them. They should also be able to use an extended geographical vocabulary in their work and demonstrate further improvement in their geographical skills. Assessment of KS3 levels is based upon their attainment in key tests and assignments, plus their overall performance in classwork and homework assignments throughout the year.

Year 9

Students will be expected to demonstrate a growing awareness and understanding of tectonic processes and their effects on landscapes and people including: the global distribution of tectonic activity and its relationship with plate boundaries; the nature; causes and effects of earthquakes and volcanic activity; and an evaluation of the human responses to the hazards associated with these tectonic events. They should also be able to describe and explain the growth of leisure and tourist activities, and evaluate their social, economic and environmental impact. They should be able to demonstrate a high level of competence in the use of enquiry skills in an investigative topic. Assessment of KS3 Levels is based upon their attainment in Key Tests and Assignments, plus their overall performance in classwork and homework assignments throughout the year.

Key Stage 4

Year 10

Two themes: ‘People and Natural World Interactions’ and ‘Challenges of Living in a Built Environment’, will be studied in Year 10. It is expected that students should be able to show a high level of awareness and understanding of the links between physical and human dimensions in both local and global environments and how environmental change is caused. They should also develop an appreciation of the need to ensure that sustainable development is paramount in the future and recognise their responsibilities as global citizens and how they can contribute to a future that is more sustainable and inclusive. They should develop and apply their learning to the real world through fieldwork and other out of classroom learning.

Year 11

In studying Theme 3 – People, Work and Development, students should demonstrate a high level of awareness and understanding of the links between people, work and development within the context of globalisation. They should also develop an appreciation of the need to ensure that future economic development is sustainable and promotes social justice and environmental integrity. They should be able to demonstrate an ability to use a sophisticated geographical vocabulary and geographical enquiry skills with confidence. The Unit 2 external exam will test their knowledge and understanding of Theme 3, but will also include a cross-unit decision making task to assess their problem-solving skills. The Unit 2 exam is worth 45% of the total GCSE grade. Enquiry and investigation skills will be tested by a Controlled Assessment Task worth 15% of the total GCSE grade.