Geography

KS3 Geography

Year 8:

During Year 8, students have three lessons of geography per fortnight. The geography syllabus is taught through a series of themes which bring together various elements of both human and physical geography. The units of geography studied during Year 8 are;

*A Connected World.

This unit encompasses studies of how the world is increasingly connected. It has an emphasis on geographical skills running through it. The example of where our food comes from is an important aspect of this unit.

*A Dangerous World.

This unit involves a study of a range of natural hazards. Students examine the causes, effects and the extent to which people try to control hazards around them. The hazards studied include Flooding, Earthquakes, Volcanic Activity and weather features such as Hurricanes and if time allows Tidal Waves.

*A Crowded World

In this unit, students look at the challenges created by the world's growing population. Students will study why some places are more crowded than others and look at issues generated by the migration of people around the world. They will also examine the structure of urban areas. In this they will use the local area as an example.

Year 9:

During Year 9, Geography is taught as a discreet subject. As with year 8 pupils have three lessons per fortnight. As with year 8 the subject is once again taught thematically, covering a wide range of both human and physical topics. The units studied during Year 9 are;

*A Threatened World

This unit involves a study of two of the major challenges facing the world. Students study the causes and effects of deforestation both in regard to the impact on the local area and the wider world. Pupils are also going to look at the issue of global warming in terms of its causes, potential impacts and possible solutions. Pupils are encouraged to develop their own ideas on the role played by people in relation to global warming as well as the role of the natural environment.

*An Industrious World

This unit looks at economic activity through the example of two industries, football and fashion. For both examples pupils study the locational factors which control their site, how they have changed and why they from time to time relocate in different places. These two industries are in many ways interrelated as increasingly the world is. A study of the true cost of cheap goods produced overseas is a strand which runs through this theme.

*A Concrete World

This unit examines the challenges of the urban environment. It focuses on two main areas namely how crime can negatively affect urban areas and how urban areas can be better planned to reduce the threat. Secondly students examine the impact of urban regeneration programmes such as the 2012 Olympics in terms of the improvements they make to urban areas and the new opportunities that they create.

*A Watery World.

This unit involves a study of aspects of weather and climate which then leads into a study of the effect that water has on the landscape due to the action of rivers and the sea.

GCSE Geography

Year 11 2010

Students currently follow the OCR A syllabus. This follows on and develops many of the aspects taught during lower school but it is studied in greater breadth and depth. During Year 10 students study a large module of Geomorphology (tectonic activity, hydrology, and coastal processes). This is known as People and the Physical World. Secondly a unit focusing on population and settlement, known as People and Places is studied. During Year 10 extensive fieldwork is carried out including a river study day, a hydrology and coasts day at the Institute of Education and finally a coastal study at Bexhill in Sussex which forms the basis for the coursework (worth 25% of final marks). During Year 11 two further units are studied, they are; People and their Needs and People and the Environment. Geography is examined with a tiered exam. The foundation tier awards grades from C to G. The higher tier awards grades A* to E.

GCSE 2010 onward

Students currently follow the EDEXCEL A syllabus. This follows on and develops many of the aspects taught during lower school but it is studied in greater breadth and depth.

During Year 10 students study the following:

*The Natural Environment

This unit of work develops and assesses students understanding of physical geography.  

A large module of Geomorphology (hydrology, and coastal processes). During Year 10 extensive fieldwork is carried out including a river study day, a hydrology and coasts day at the Institute of Education and finally a coastal study at Bexhill in Sussex which forms the basis for the coursework (worth 25% of final marks). During Year 11 two further units are studied, they are; People and their Needs and People and the Environment. Geography is examined with a tiered exam. The foundation tier awards grades from C to G. The higher tier awards grades A* to E.