Geography

Key Stage 3

Are you interested in the world all around you? Do you like to know why natural hazards occur or why some countries are richer than others? Are you concerned about the environment? Do you want to develop skills you will find useful long after you have left school? There has never been a better time to study Geography and attempt to understand the world in which we live.

During Key stage 3 students have two lessons per week. The subject is brought alive by using a wide range of engaging and interactive resources, and a very high standard of teaching. The aim of our curriculum is to enthuse and engage students through the study of geography and development of geographical skills. We use a wide range of assessment approaches during Key stage Three to ensure that our students progress well and achieve their best. A brief overview of what we cover is shown on the table below, which follows the National curriculum.

Key Stage 4

Geography is a popular option choice with students at GCSE and forms part of the English Baccalaureate. We follow OCR syllabus B and our previous GCSE results have been very strong with over 80% of students attaining A* - C and almost 25% gaining A* - A. In the new OCR B GCSE course students will study a range of modules showing people’s interaction with the planet and the natural power of the earth.

ASSESSMENT

The students will be assessed using three different methods;

• A Human Geography exam (including assessment of fieldwork skills) lasting 1hour 15 minutes - 35% of the marks
• A Physical Geography exam (including assessment of fieldwork skills) lasting 1hour 15 minutes - 35% of the marks
• A Decision making exam with assessment of fieldwork skills lasting 1 hour 30 minutes – 30% of the marks 

Key Stage 5

Geography is offered at both schools across the Joint Sixth Form. We follow the new EDEXCEL Specification 

Physical and Human Geography (Paper 1) 30% of the qualification:

Core Topics:

• The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
• The Carbon Cycle and Energy Insecurity
• Tectonic Processes and Hazards
• Climate Change Futures

Options: Coastal Landscapes or Glaciated Landscapes

Human Geography (Paper 2) 30% of the qualification:

Core Topics:

• Globalisation
• ​Superpowers
• Regenerating Places or Diverse Places

Options: Health, Human Rights and Intervention or Migration, Identity and Sovreignty

Issues Evaluation (Paper 3) 20% of the qualification:

This is a synoptic paper that will be based around core themes within the course. Students will need to evaluate an issue presented in a resource booklet within this written exam.

Independent Investigation 20% of the qualification:

This is an independent study based on fieldwork done during the course of the 2 years. It is done as a fieldwork report of approximately 3000-4000 words. Students will be expected to present and analyse data collected during fieldwork and conclude on their own

question. Students will work on this element throughout the duration of A Level Geography. This component is internally marked and externally moderated.

Fieldwork:

There will be a minimum of 4 days fieldwork done during the course. This may be local area studies or work done further-a-field. The fieldwork will comprise of both Physical and Human Geography and will be connected in part to the Independent Investigation unit.