Overview

Students will begin their Geography curriculum by looking at the basics of Geography to get a firm understanding about what we will look at during Y7, 8 and 9. They will find out how human and physical interactions cause changes to our planet, but also how we can solve some of these problems. This involves deep discussions about the challenges our world faces and what we can do as individuals to protect our world, and they will learn how to justify their opinions giving the extent to which they agree/disagree with different ideas. This leads on to topics that we study at GCSE, getting students GCSE ready. The course also involve a variety of fieldtrips to see Geography in the flesh; students will undertake both human and physical fieldwork.

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KS3 Intent Statement

The intent of the Geography Department at Highcliffe School is to teach Geography in a context that will stimulate students curiosity about the ‘physical’ and ‘natural world’ around them, understanding the ‘wider meaning’ and to inspire a future generation of Geographical Investigators. Geography underpins a lifelong ‘conversation’ about the Earth as the home of humankind. (GA manifesto 2018).
The intent to teach the students about the wider world as opposed to just their home location. Develop an awareness of different cultures and reasons for those cultures to encourage empathy and a global awareness. To assist students in understanding the impact that they as individuals have on our planet e.g. Climate Change, Fragile Environments and Fast Fashion.
Students are introduced early to a range of skills to create ambitious and enthusiastic evidenced based Geographers, including:
• Fieldwork skills (sampling techniques).
• Constructing graphs with multiple sets of data (climate graphs).
• Spatial Distribution of key features (hazards).
• Describe the distribution using key geographical terminology.
• Interpret a range of Geographical sources (maps, photographs, GIS, graphs).
• Writing at length ‘write like a Geographer’.
It is our intent that our students shall have independent Geographical investigation/enquiry skill set which can be applied in a number of contexts and subjects and enable students to problem solve – a skill which is necessary in their future lives and prepare them for careers and make them GCSE ready.

Year 7

An Introduction to Gegraphy – This includes finding out what Geography is all about and an introduction to OS map skills.
Ice an Tourism – Glacial Processes, landforms and the impacts tourists can have on these places.
Rural and rban – A look into China’s urban and rural problems.
Coasts – Coastal processes and landforms. This includes a day trip to a coastal site.

Year 8

Living World – A look at the world biomes with a focus on Africa’s different ecosystems including food webs, animal adaptations and the different climates. Students have the chance to visit the Living Rainforest as part of our fieldtrip.
NaturaHazards – A focus on earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis that are a regular occurrence around our world. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Natural History Museum.
Globalisation ad Development – A look into the life in sweatshops and the reasons why they exist.

Year 9

Our World – A focus on general Geography knowledge such as continents, countries, oceans and seas. We then debate whether we can class London as a global city and how sustainable London is.
Weather Hazard – This includes what weather hazards are, understanding tropical storms and then a look in detail at some examples e.g. Typhoon Haiyan and the extreme weather in the UK, the ‘Beast from the East’.
River – A look at river processes and landforms, including how humans can impact these areas.
Climat Change – Climate Change is a hot topic in the news, we look at the evidence, causes, effects and managing climate change.
Urban Issue – A look at our current urban challenges in the world including pollution, overpopulation and poverty.

Overview

Geography is the study of the Earth’s landscapes, people, places and environment – it’s about the world we live in. An understanding and enthusiasm for Geography, and the development of geographical knowledge, is essential for the 21st century in a world where population growth, rapid development, global environmental change, social and economic inequality, and resource depletion threaten the very planet on which we live. These problems place increasing burdens on cultural tolerance, the sustainable management of societies, natural resources including bio-diversity, and landscapes. Geographers have a key role to play in understanding and helping to solve these issues.

“Geography is a subject which holds the key to our future” Michael Palin

KS4 Intent Statement

The Geography Department at Highcliffe School follows the AQA exam specification.
The aims and learning outcomes of the course are to allow students to develop and extend their knowledge of locations, places, environments and processes, at a range of different scales. To explain the social, economic and environmental impact of this.
To explain and evaluate the inter-relationships between human action and physical processes across a range of topics and scales.
Develop and apply key Geographical skills such as:
• Interpreting and constructing cartographic, graphical and statistical evidence including GIS and recognising spatial distribution patterns.
• Calculating key statistical data manipulation.
Apply fieldwork techniques to a range of human and physical enquiry questions with the aim of challenging or accepting key geographical theory.

Qualification Details

Exam Board: AQA
Qualification Title: Geography
Qualification Specification Code: 8035
Qualification Webpage: Click here to visit the AQA webpage for the specification.

Why should I study this course?

Geography is one of the subjects with the highest rates of graduate employability. It is highly valued by employers for its combination of knowledge, integration, and competence at training in the key skills.

“Great things are done when men and mountains meet” William Blake (1757 – 1827)

What knowledge and/or skills will I need?

You will need to have a general interest in current affairs, as all of the content links to news events or general events occurring around the world on a daily basis. Students will also need good maths skills, as part of the course involves using basic data manipulation.

Course combines well with: Biology, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics, Geology, Leisure and Recreation, Environmental Science, Computing/IT.

What will I study in this qualification?

Living with the physical environment
• 3.1.1 Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
• 3.1.2 Section B: The living world
• 3.1.3 Section C: Physical landscapes in the UK

How it is assessed
• Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes 88 marks (including 3 marks for spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terminology (SPaG)) 35% of GCSE

Challenges in the human environment
• 3.2.1 Section A: Urban issues and challenges
• 3.2.2 Section B: The changing economic world
• 3.2.3 Section C: The challenge of resource management
How it is assessed

• Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes o 88 marks (including 3 marks for spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terminology (SPaG)) 35% of GCSE

Geographical applications
• 3.3.1 Section A: Issue evaluation
• 3.3.2 Section B: Fieldwork – this includes a day in a human environment and a day in a physical environment. Geographical skills
• 3.4 Geographical skills

Students are required to develop and demonstrate a range of geographical skills, including cartographic, graphical, numerical and statistical skills, throughout their study of the specification.
Skills will be assessed in all three written exams.
Ordnance Survey (OS) maps or other map extracts may be used in any of the three exams.

How will I be assessed?

Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
• 76 marks (including 6 marks for SPaG)
• 30% of GCSE
• Pre-release resources booklet made available 12 weeks before Paper 3 exam.

Possible Career Paths

Surveying, Planning, Housing and Property Management, Geographical Information Systems, Teaching, Water Companies, Cartography, Tourism, Military, Law, Journalism, Civil Service, Environmental Management and Consultancy, Resource Management, Accountancy.

Overview

A Level Geography is designed to follow on from GCSE. The specification is divided into Human and Physical Geography, identical to GCSE Geography. The topics we teach are designed to reflect world issues in an everchanging world. The physical topics are Coastal Systems and Landscapes, the Water and Carbon cycles and Hazards, and the human topics are Contemporary Urban Environments, Global Systems and Global Governance and Changing Places. Students also have to complete an independent fieldwork investigation in which they must come up with their own hypothesis, plan their fieldwork and methods, and implement their study. This is to help students build on their independent skills in preparation for University. The two year course involves all students undertaking fieldwork in relation to processes in both Physical and Human Geography. The students will undertake four days of fieldwork during their A-Level course, both local and further afield, as well as our Iceland trip.

KS5 Intent Statement

The Geography Department at Highcliffe School follows the AQA exam specification. This enables students to broaden their horizons by developing their knowledge of places, processes and sustainability. This is achieved through an in-depth understanding of fundamental processes in physical and human geography at a range of temporal and spatial scales.

Students will be able to recognise and analyse the complexity of human and physical interactions at all geographical scales and assess the role these play in contributing to key world issues.

Students will be given opportunities to develop key transferrable skills that can be used post education, for example, becoming confident and competent in selecting, using and evaluating a range of quantitative and qualitative skills and approaches. For example:

• Independent, confident and ambitious Geographers who are able to set their own research questions and collect data to support their own enquiries (NEA).

• Analysing key sources (quantitative and qualitative) of information for patterns, anomalies and trends (6 mark questions across all units)

• Superbly structured answers that offer evidenced based opinions and come to reasoned conclusion (9 and 20 mark questions across all units).

Qualification Details

Exam Board: AQA
Qualification Title: Geography A Level
Qualification Specification Code: 7037
Qualification Webpage: Click here to visit the AQA webpage for the specification.

Entry Requirements

Standard Sixth Form entry requirements

What will I study in this qualification?

The summary of components is as follows:

• Physical Geography (Coasts, Water and Carbon Cycles and Hazards)

• Human Geography (Contemporary Urban Environments, Global Governance and Changing Places)

• Geography Fieldwork Investigation (Coursework)

• Geographical Skills

 

Possible Career Paths

Future Pathways: Geography/Geology based degrees, Coastal Engineering Planning, Environmentalist, Town Planner, Geographical Information System Officer, Meteorologist, Teacher, Cartographer, Tourism Officer, Transport Planner, International Aid/Development worker. The topics we teach will excite students’ minds, challenge perceptions and stimulate their investigative and analytical skills.