Geography
In geography we help our students to develop an understanding of the complex planet that we live on and the atmosphere that surrounds it. By studying the delicate balance of interactions between humans and our natural environment, we enable students to consider how sustainable our lifestyles are and the impact that our actions have on the landscape around us.
“It’s not just climate change; it’s sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde. Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now.”
David Attenborough
Course description
In Year 7 students start with an introduction to the subject, where we focus on developing the fundamental skills that will be used throughout the subject over the next few years. The unit on wondrous places helps the students to appreciate the beauty, diversity and uniqueness of different places around the globe. The natural dangers and changing nature of our planet are explored through the unit on natural hazards, while students grow a better understanding of the physical context that surrounds them via their study of coastal, fluvial and glacial landscapes in Yorkshire. Towards the end of the academic year we take our students on a trip to see Geography in action outside of the classroom by visiting the coast at Bridlington and Flamborough Head.
In Year 8 students start the year with a study of amazing geographical places, both physical and human. This unit is designed to widen their knowledge of exciting and unique destinations around the world – hopefully inspiring future holiday destinations for our young adventurers. The students then go onto practice OS map skills through an exciting unit on ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ where they need to harness their Geographical thinking in order to save the residents of York. Following this unit students explore major urban centres examining concepts such as how megacities cope with the exponential growth of their populations. Our year 8s also examine development through the lense of countries in South East Asia and North East Africa considering the social and environmental costs of development. Their final unit is on extreme weather, exploring whether unusual weather patterns can be attributed to climate change.
Assessments
Pupils will be given one formal end of unit assessment each term, which will be completed in their progress book. At least one homework each half term will also be completed in their progress books and will act as a mid-topic checkpoint, to enable us to support and extend the students’ learning further.
Ways to help my child succeed
Encourage your child to watch the news and take an interest in places that they visit. Discuss the topics they are studying in school and encourage them to read around the topic outside of school. Please don’t hesitate to contact the department for further ideas.
Useful websites
www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/
www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zrw76sg
geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/ks3/
www.natgeokids.com
Geography is knowledge and knowledge is power. The pupils will study the impact that humans can have on the world – both positive and negative. They will also gain an understanding of the world that we see around us through physical processes.
“Social cohesion was built into language long before Facebook and LinkedIn and Twitter – we’re tribal by nature. Tribes today aren’t the same as tribes thousand of years ago: It isn’t just religious tribes or ethnic tribes now: It’s sports fans, it’s communities, it’s geography.”
Peter Guber
Course description
At Key Stage 4 (KS4) students build on the issues explored in Key Stage 3. Human topics covered explore urban issues and challenges, the changing economic world and ways of balancing resources that are essential for life. Physical topics cover the living world, with a particular focus on hot deserts and tropical rainforests, hazards and changing landscapes in the UK, where we focus on river and coastal landscapes.
Students studying geography will be examined in three distinct areas and students will sit all exams at the end of Year 11. Paper 1: Living with the physical environment is worth 35% of the final grade. Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment is also worth 35% of the final grade. Finally paper 3: Geographical applications is worth 30% of the final grade and questions you on your fieldtrip experiences and contains an issue evaluation section.
Throughout Key 4, we offer significant opportunities for our students to participate in fieldwork, to help bring geography to life and to extend students’ learning well beyond the classroom. Geography is a subject that delivers and develops a plethora of employability skills sought after by employers and universities alike. These include organisational, analytical skills, verbal and written communication, ICT and research skills. Geography will prepare you for almost any job or course you may wish to do in the future, ranging from international aid worker to transport planner, from accountant to conservation officer.
Exam board
Past papers
www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/assessment-resources
Assessments
Students will be given one formal assessment at the end of each unit of work (at least every half term), which will be completed in their assessment book.
Ways to help my child succeed
Encourage your child to watch the news and take an interest in places that they visit. Discuss the topics they are studying in school and encourage them to read around the topic outside of school. Please don’t hesitate to contact the department for further ideas.