Geography



Department Aims

The geography department seeks to develop knowledge and understanding of the Earth and its people, to be aware of the world around us and through this to increase their tolerance and empathy towards others. This approach helps to prepare pupils to be active citizens in a changing world.

Pupils are taught using a variety of teaching techniques which allows all to achieve to the best of their ability. These include techniques utilise visual, listening, kinaesthetic and oral skills. In our department every person’s opinion counts and is valued, the pupil voice is encouraged and listened to.

Homework’s are set regularly and pupils are expected to complete these on time. A variety of work is set including research, projects, questions and answers and preparation for presentations. Pupils are encouraged to use homework’s as a way of utilising their individual skills and preferences.

KS3

All classes are taught as mixed ability groups. The schemes of work are updated and modified regularly.
The topics studied:

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 7

What is Geography
Mapskills

Settlements

Environmental Issues
Flatford and Dedham (Fieldtrip)

Year 8

Weather and Climate
Ecosystems

Rainforests
Brazil

Coasts
Walton on the Naze. (Fieldtrip)

Year 9

Development
Earthquakes

Volcanoes.

The geography of Crime.
The geography of sport.

A variety of teaching and learning techniques and used to help pupils to reach their full potential.

KS 4

The syllabus being studied is the WJEC GCSE in Geography B.
The main textbooks used are ‘geog.GCSE’ published by Oxford and
GCSE Geography for WJEC B.

This is an issues based course where students are encouraged to apply their knowledge and understanding of topics studied to describe and explain events such as Cyclones and how development could be achieved sustainably.

As part of the GCSE, students complete two pieces of controlled assessment. In order for pupils to fully understand the issues being looked at, they take part in two field trip. One to Happisburgh in North Norfolk where they look at the problem of coastal erosion. The second fieldtrip is to the Olympic Site to look at why the site was chosen and how the site is being developed.

KS 5

The A Level course is a varied and relevant one looking at current issues such as coastal flooding, green energy, tourism, globalisation and climate change. Students discuss and research to give a balanced view on such issues.

Fieldwork is an integral part of the course with one day trips to regional sites such as the North Norfolk coast, and a residential fieldtrip to the Peak District National Park or further afield to Barcelona, Spain. Practical fieldwork skills are developed on these field trips in preparation for part of the examination on Geographical Skills.

The specification is OCR Geography.
AS Unit 1. Managing Physical Environments – coasts, floods, rivers, cold environments, hot environments. 25% of the examination
Unit 2. Managing Change in Human Environments – urban, energy, tourism, rural issues. 25%
A2 Unit 3. Global Issues – climate, globalisation, population, ecosystems, resources. 30%
Unit 4.Geographical Skills- research based on fieldwork, investigative skills 20%

Geography links well with other subjects to give a wide base for further study or for employers. Through Geography students develop a range of skills including communication, ICT, numeracy, team work, decision making and problem solving which are skills for life and a basis for life long learning.