Geography

KS3 Overview

At Chis and Sid our aim is to inspire in our pupils a curiosity about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Through this curiosity we aim to help students to engage with the big issues and challenges facing governments, industry and individuals the world over. We aim to develop students who are able to interpret and interact with the world around them, explaining the consequences of change and debating the viewpoints of challenges.

Geography has an important role in the understanding of current local, national and global issues, such as climate change and world trade and is increasingly recognised by governments and businesses as an important enabling subject. It must be remembered that the specific skills and expertise gained by geographers make them highly prized by employers.

KS3 Programme of study

Year 7 to 9 pupils study a range of human and physical geography units. Beginning with map skills and exploration in Year 7 they are encouraged to develop confidence with key geographical skills and to think like a geographer. The aim is to engage pupils in current debates and issues surrounding such topics as food seasonality, climate change, migration, the growth of superpowers and extreme weather. We endeavour to open their eyes to the varied environments, cultures and issues within our world and equip them with the necessary skills to critically engage in debate and discussion regarding global and local challenges.

Through the varied topics we study we aim to develop the intellectual and emotional character of our students enabling them to develop empathy and an understanding of sustainability and the consequences of our actions on others. Topics are drawn from both the physical and human components of the subject and allow students to investigate ecosystems, weather and climate, tectonic events, settlement development, globalisation and development issues. Within each unit of work students will engage in decision making tasks, extended writing and knowledge quizzes to assess progress and understanding.

They will work both independently and in groups developing analysis and data skills alongside the ability to evaluate and make justified judgements. Students will also be involved in different investigation both within and beyond the school gate to develop their data collection and analysis skills.

Resources for learning

• Horrible Geography series
• Natural History museum
• David Attenborough documentaries such as ‘Planet Earth’

Curriculum Information

• Class size is 32 with pupils taught in forms
• Classes are taught 3 times a fortnight in one hour lessons
• Homework is set weekly with some extended tasks over two weeks requiring further detailed research and development of content.
• Pupils are assessed within topics using a variety of assessment styles including knowledge tests, extended writing and decision making activities.

Extracurricular Enrichment

• Year 7 trip to Canterbury to assess to what extent Canterbury is a clone town, this trip is in conjunction with RS 
• Year 7 trip to Lullingstone alongside Classics
• Optional Year 7 6 day residential to Switzerland run in conjunction with Science
• Year 8 trip to Scadbury
• House Geography competitions

Geography vision

At Chis and Sid our aim is to inspire in our pupils a curiosity about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Through this curiosity we aim to help students to engage with the big issues and challenges facing governments, industry and individuals the world over. We aim to develop students who are able to interpret and interact with the world around them, explaining the consequences of change and debating the viewpoints of challenges. 

Geography has an important role in the understanding of current local, national and global issues, such as climate change and world trade and is increasingly recognised by governments and businesses as an important enabling subject. It must be remembered that the specific skills and expertise gained by geographers make them highly prized by employers.

KS4 Programme of study

We follow the AQA Geography at GCSE, this is a linear course with final examination assessment via three separate papers at the end of Year 11. The course includes a balanced mix of human and physical geography and also gives students the opportunity to develop their skills in geographical writing, data analysis and making informed judgements. The content builds on topics studied through KS3 and provides students with the opportunity to extend and develop their understanding of the world around them. A key feature of the teaching within geography is to develop problem solving and thinking skills with an active approach to learning, helping students to become effective and independent learners.

Living with the physical environment: 

• The challenge of natural resources which involves the study of food, water and energy resources. Students will consider the demands and challenges in relation to each resource type and link to global and UK based examples.
• The living world which involves the study of both a rainforest and cold environment. Within this topic students consider the key characteristics of the environment, climate and wildlife as well and the challenges and opportunities available based on case study locations. 
• Physical landscapes of the UK which is traditional rivers and coastal geographies, this focuses on processes and landforms found in these two different locations as well as the consequences of erosion and flooding on the people and environment.

Challenges in the human environment:

• Urban issues and challenges involves consideration of the processes within our urban environments both within low income countries and the UK. Pupils will consider changes and challenges in urban contexts such as air pollution and slums and response that major global cities have made to these issues.
• The changing economic world is a topic concerned with global development and application of development concepts to an emerging nation such as Nigeria as well as the UK. Pupils will consider factors affecting development and how countries development has affected the quality of life if its population.
• The challenge of resource management begins by considering the distribution and challenges of energy, water and food supplies within the UK. Supply and demand and changing patterns of use and their consequences are studied. One resource is then studied at a global scale considering issues of supply and demand and inequality.

Throughout all topics pupils are introduced to different locations as case studies and examples by applying the theoretical geographical content to a specific location.

Field work and geographical skills are an integral component of the course enabling students to investigate contrasting landscapes through the enquiry process. The specific location of fieldwork will vary year to year depending on the demands of the syllabus. 

Resources for learning

• BBC Bite size https://www.bbc.com/education/examspecs/zy3ptyc
• Wide World magazinehttps://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Product/9781471891182.aspx
• AQA GCSE (9-1) Textbook: ISBN 9781471859922
• Time for Geography website: https://timeforgeography.co.uk/
• David Attenborough documentaries
• Iain Stewart documentaries
• Helen Czerski documentaries

Curriculum information

• Class size is approximately 25
• Classes are taught 5 times a fortnight
• Homework is set weekly with some extended tasks over two weeks requiring further detailed research and development of content.
• Pupils are assessed continuously through the use of exam style questions within homework and classwork tasks. Additionally pupils complete end of topic tests as well as the school examinations at the end of Year 10.

Extracurricular Enrichment

• 2 day field trips such as Herne Bay
• Revision conferences and webinars
• Geographical trips which have in the past included Iceland and Sorrento
• Possible entry to the Local rounds of the Wide World competition

Geography is a popular A Level subject with man y students pursuing their knowledge and understanding of the planet they live on. It is a subject that combines well with both arts and science subjects and is very diverse and skills rich. It is also highly valued by universities as an A Level choice. The Russell Group report published in 2011 names geography as one of the eight facilitating subjects. This is a subject most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses and choosing facilitating subjects will keep more options open to you at university.

Within the subject you will learn in a wide variety of ways, using maps, GIS skills, data analysis, photos, videos, and podcasts, as well as attending lectures and study days. You will be encouraged to frame your own questions using higher level thinking skills and show your grasp of complex issues through report and essay writing. Fieldwork will be an essential part of your A Level course and you will be required to complete your own independent investigation on a syllabus subject of your choice as part of the assessment. Teaching of the Geography course is split between two members of staff, with one focusing on the human syllabus content and the second focusing on the physical syllabus content.

KS5 Programme of study

The course is a mixture of human and physical content. Throughout Year 12 the physical components under the topic heading ‘Dynamic Landscape’ includes the study of both ‘Tectonic Processes and Hazards’ and ‘Landscape Systems, Processes and Change’ will be studied. This enables a study of cause, impact and response, considering the changing nature of landscape and risk over time and study of the factors that influence change. Pupils will consider the role of different players and how risk is affected by both human and physical factors. The human component under the heading of ’Dynamic Place’ includes the study of ’Globalisation’ and ’Shaping Places’. This includes studying the cause and consequences of globalisation and how why places are shaped and changed as well as meanings and identities attached to different places. Pupils will consider how cultural and demographic issues can be managed.

Within Year 13 you will study both ‘Physical’ and ‘Human Systems and Sustainability’. This focusses on both global systems of carbon and water leading onto issues such as water and food security and threats to ecosystems. Additionally you will learn about geopolitics, superpowers as well as migration and health issues. Considering many issues facing global political powers and global organisations. Considering the impacts of hard and soft power as well as the cause and consequence of migration

Throughout the course examples and case studies will be applied to help contextualise your knowledge. The aim is to build on your knowledge of issues supporting a developed understanding of the many and varied challenges facing the global community.

Areas of study: 

• Dynamic landscapes – Tectonic process and hazards / Coastal landscapes and change
• Dynamic places – Globalisation / Regenerating places
• Physical systems and sustainability – The water cycle and water security / The carbon cycle and energy security
• Human systems and Geopolitics – Superpowers / Migration, Identity and Sovereignty
• An independent geographical investigation will be undertaken by each student who will develop their own enquiry question based on areas of study and use the enquiry process to draw conclusions.

Resources for learning

The syllabus and course details:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/geography-2016.htmlUse the following websites to find podcasts, lectures and discussions on a wide range of geographical issues:

https://www.ft.com/podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rgs-ibg-ask-the-experts/id1196746426?mt=2https://www.geography.org.uk/GeogPod-The-GAs-Podcasthttps://www.rgs.org/all/?categories=SchoolMemberLecture

Textbooks:

Edexcel A level Geography Book 1 Third Edition

Cameron Dunn, Kim Adams, David Holmes, Simon Oakes, Michael Witherick, Sue Warn

ISBN: 978147856549

Edexcel A level Geography Book 2 Third Edition

Cameron Dunn, Kim Adams, David Holmes, Simon Oakes, Sue Warn, Michael Witherick

ISBN: 9781471856532

Curriculum information

• Class size is approximately 20
• Classes are taught 5 times a fortnight
• Homework is generally weekly with some extended tasks over two weeks requiring further detailed research and development of content.
• Additionally pupils are expected to undertake independent reading to broaden their knowledge and engagement with critical writing
• Pupils are assessed continuously through the use of exam style questions within homework and classwork tasks as well as more formal exam style assessment at the end of topics.

Extracurricular Enrichment

• A 4 day residential trip to Flatford Mill, Suffolk
• Royal Geographical Society lectures
• Tectonics conference
• Geographical trips which have in the past included Iceland and Sorrento
• Opportunities to support Key Stage three competitions

Career progression

Geography students can pursue wide ranging careers paths in the fields of Government and Policy, the built environment, hazard and risk management, travel, tourism and leisure, data management, Social development, and sustainability management.  Use the link below for a wide range of careers materials

https://www.rgs.org/geography/studying-geography-and-careers/careers/

Expected Equipment

• Blue, black, purple and red pens
• Colouring pencils
• Rubber
• Ruler
• Highlighters
• Glue stick
• Compass
• Calculator