Geography

Teaching Staff and Responsibilities

Mrs O’Brien: Subject Leader for Geography

Mr Carver: Teacher of Geography

KS3 (Years 7-9)

How do we organise teaching groups at KS3?

At KS3, classes are taught in form groups (classes of 30-32) which are all mixed ability.

What are our aims at KS3?

  • Develop a curiosity about the world and its dynamic physical and human features.
  • Broaden geographical knowledge and skills to communicate geographically.
  • Reflect on topical environmental concerns and natural phenomena, with opportunities to make decisions based on scenarios and factual case studies.
  • Encourage critical thinking, and proactive responses to help students to become informed global citizens.
  • Provide out of class learning opportunities to develop fieldwork and enquiry skills.

How does this subject develop over KS3?

Our students have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of human and physical geographical concepts / issues through our spiral curriculum. At each turn, they are encouraged to build on previously acquired knowledge and skills to demonstrate their ability to think and communicate geographically. Each topic explores the key geographical concepts of place, space, scale and interactions to achieve this.

What will my daughter learn at KS3?

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9
  • The Geography of our Sacred Heart family
  • Our Blue Marble
  • Exploring the United Kingdom
  • Natural Resources
  • Ecosystems
  • Toxic Trainers
  • The Geography of Asia
  • UK Physical Landscapes
  • The Changing World of Work
  • The Consequences of Climate Change
  • Hazards and Extreme Weather
  • The Geography of Africa
  • Challenges and Opportunities for London
  • Development Dilemmas
  • Global Challenges

Example lesson activities  include…

  • Identifying questions and sequences of enquiry
  • Writing descriptively, analytically and critically
  • Structuring extended written arguments
  • Developing well-evidenced and informed conclusions about geographical issues
  • Developing map, graphical, statistical and numerical skills

Are there any websites that will support my daughter’s learning?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zrw76sg

All classes have access to a Google Classroom Geography page where your daughter can access all in class lesson resources.

KS4/GCSE (Years 10-11)

How do we organise teaching groups at KS4?

At KS4, classes are taught in option groups (classes of 15-25) which are all mixed ability.

Which GCSE specification do we prepare pupils for?

AQA GCSE (9-1) Geography (8083).

Visit www.aqa.org.uk/8035 for the most up-to-date specification, resources, support and administration

What will my daughter learn at KS4?

We cover a range of physical and human topics that have been integrated throughout the course. These sequences of these topics is as follows…

Year 10 Year 11

The Living World: Ecosystems, Tropical Rainforests, Hot Deserts (Paper 1; Section B)

The Challenge of Resource Management: Resource Management, Water Management (Paper 2; Section C)

The Challenge of Natural Hazards: Tectonic Hazards, Weather Hazards, Climate Change (Paper 1; Section A)

Urban Issues and Challenges: The Urban World, Urban change in the UK, Urban Sustainability (Paper 2; Section A)

 Urban Issues and Challenges continued.

Physical Landscapes in the UK: Coastal Landscapes AND River landscapes (Paper 1; Section C)

Fieldwork: Cartographic, Graphical and Statistical Skills (Paper 3)

Changing Economic World: The Development Gap, Nigeria, UK. (Paper 2; Section B)

Issue Evaluation (Paper 3)

Are there any websites that will support my daughter’s learning?

https://www.senecalearning.com/

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/geography/aqa

Students have access an online edition of the GCSE AQA Geography textbook from OUP at www.kerboodle.com

KS5/A Level (Y12-13)

How do we organise teaching groups at KS5?

At KS5, classes are taught in option groups (classes of 10-20) which are all mixed ability.

Which A Level specification do we prepare pupils for?

AQA A – LEVEL Geography (7037)

Visit www.aqa.org.uk/7037  for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administration

What will your daughter learn at KS5?

The AQA Geography course content is designed to excite minds, challenge perceptions and stimulate analytical and investigative skills.

Overview of the course – What will I study?

Three components:

What’s assessed How it’s assessed
1.      Physical Geography Water and Carbon Cycles, Hazards, Coastal systems and landscapes Written exam

2 hours 30 minutes

40% of A-Level
2.      Human Geography Changing Places, Global Systems and  global Governance Written exam

2 hours 30 minutes

40% of A – Level
3.      Geographical Investigation Completion of an individual investigation based on a question of issue with data collected in the field. 3000 – 4000 words

20% of A-Level

Marked by teachers, moderated by AQA

Geography Fieldwork Investigation

All students are required to undertake fieldwork in relation to processes in both physical and human geography. At the end of Year 2, we carry out investigations into coastal management and urban regeneration. The fieldwork collected here will feed into your individual investigation as specified above.