Geography

Geography

Key Stage 3

Year 7

• How do we use maps
• Geography of the UK
• Tectonic Hazards
• Nepal
• Tourism
• Sport
  

Year 8

• Weather in the UK
• Climate Change
• Biomes of the world
• Desert Environments
• Issue Evaluation
• Crime Weather in the UK

Year 9

• International Development
• Migration
• UK Geography
• Rivers
• Australia
• Field Work The Development Gap

Key Stage 4

For the AQA GCSE Geography specification there are three exam papers.

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment
Paper 1 is based on Physical Geography, is worth 35% and is 1 hour 30 minutes long.

• Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
• Section B: The living world
• Section C: Physical landscapes in the UK

Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment
Paper 2 is based on Human Geography, is worth 35% and is 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

• Section A: Urban issues and challenges
• Section B: The changing economic world?
• Section C: The challenge of resource management

Paper 3: Geographical applications
Paper 3 is based on geographical skills, an issue evaluation and physical and human fieldwork.  It is 1 hour 15 minutes long and is worth 35%.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning in Geography

Geography is taught as a sole subject for all of Key Stage 3.  As a fundamental aspect of Geography and crucial for the new GCSE Geography curriculum, fieldwork is integrated in to Year 9. Great emphasis is placed with pupils to work independently in data synthesis and data presentation throughout fieldwork opportunities.

Throughout Years 7-9 every student will gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of various aspects of Human, Physical and Environmental Geography. Assessments at Key Stage 3 are based on assessing pupil’s geographical knowledge, but also to encourage the development of social skills; for example for Weather in the UK pupils will work in a group to conduct a video news report assessment on a recent volcano or earthquake. GCSE Geography pupils study the new 9-1 AQA specification. This specification was carefully selected to best suit the needs of the pupils at Worden. Through this specification they will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs). Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.

Students in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 will be expected to develop independence, critical thinking, evidential skills and develop arguments which show perspective and judgement from the opinion of different cultures and countries. In addition to using paper based resources, the use of ICT will enable students to discover more about the world we live in. Engaging and inclusive approaches to teaching Geography are used in all lessons to enable students to enjoy the subject, but to highlight the importance of geographical knowledge in the 21st century. Teachers are passionate about Geography and this inspiration and enthusiasm captures the imagination and interest of our students.