Geography

Course Aims:

At Key Stage 3 we aim to captivate students’ interest for Geography while scaffolding core skills essential for success at GCSE and A Level. Students discover different places through carefully planned units of learning which explore the human and physical components of the subject. All students build on their knowledge of different processes and concepts within each module, and then apply them to scenarios i.e. learning about the causes of flooding and then comparing the effects of flooding on a UK river.

YEAR 7:

• Perfect Planet
• Marvellous Maps
• Wonderful Weather
• Dynamic Demography
• Crumbling Coasts
• Sensational Sports

YEAR 8:

• Gruesome Geography
• Brilliant Biomes
• Rainforest Resources
• Trembling Tectonics
• Frightening Floods
• Climate Crisis

Trips and visits:

• Microclimates (on site study)
• Walton on the Naze (off site study)
• Zoo lab (on site visit)
• Bentley Priory (off site study)

Enrichment:

Geography Club – students investigate topical geographical issues and raise environmental awareness about the current geo-political and environment. They tackle global and local issues and develop projects to help raise their passion and academic enthusiasm as well as to make Bentley Wood High School even more environmentally friendly.

 Key Stage 4 & 5 / Career Progression:

All students will study either Geography or History at GCSE, at Key Stage 3 we embed the knowledge and skills for our students to achieve at Key Stage 4 and for those wishing to progress to A Level. Geography opens up many career opportunities including those in the following fields: architecture, conservationism, education, local council, engineering, law, scientific research and development, field studies, flying/piloting, travel and tourism, healthcare etc…. (The scope of the subject allows avenues into many different fields.)

Recommended Reading:

• Coasts
• Horrible Geography
• Michael Palin’s travel books
• Bill Bryson’s novels
• The earth from the air
• Higher thinking geography

Examining Board: AQA

Aim:

GCSE Geography teaches us about the fascinating and fast changing world in which we live. Geographers also acquire a vast range of valuable skills, such as: map reading; spatial and GIS awareness; problem solving; data analysis; the ability to consider other viewpoints; decision making; team work; environmental awareness; computer skills and essay writing

 Content – GCSE

Unit 1: Physical Geography

• Hazards
• Living World
• Physical Landscape UK

Unit 2: Human Geography

• Urban Issues and challenges
• Changing Economic World
• Challenge of Resource Management

Unit 3: Skills paper

• Issues and evaluation
• Fieldwork and skills

Method of assessment: AQA Spec A GCSE (2016 syllabus)

• Living with the physical environment (Paper 1) = 1hr 30min / 88 marks / 35% of GCSE
• Challenges in the human environment (Paper 2) = 1hr 30 min / 88 marks / 35% of GCSE
• Geographical applications (Paper 3) = 1 hr 15 min / 76 marks / 30% of GCSE

Recommended reading

• Tim Marshall: “Prisoners of Geography”
• Peter Frankopan: “Silk Roads”
• Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac: “The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis”
• Saci Lloyd: “The Carbon Diaries”
• Greta Thunberg: “No book is too small to make a difference”
• Mohsin Hamid: “Exit West”

Key Stage 5 progression/Career prospects

A Level Geography is offered in the Sixth Form at Bentley Wood. There is a wide range of careers/interests for which Geography is relevant, not least because it draws from both Humanities and Science.  This would include:

Enrichment

• Bentley Priory Trip
• Stratford Trip
• West Wittering Trip

Revision Guides

• KS4: GCSE AQA Geography (for the Grade 9-1 course
  GCSE AQA Geography (for the Grade 9-1 course) Exam Practice Workbook

A Level Geography

Is Geography the subject for you?

Geography teaches us about the fascinating and fast changing world in which we live. Geographers also acquire a vast range of valuable skills, such as: map reading; spatial awareness; problem solving; data analysis; the ability to consider other viewpoints; decision making; team work; environmental awareness; computer skills and essay writing.  It is for these reasons that the majority of geographers go on to further study and employment.

Course content

In Year 12 students’ study: tectonic processes and hazards, coastal landscapes and change, globalisations and diverse places. We also conduct field trips including residential trip to a coastal location and practice core skills including GIS.

In Year 13 students’ study: water cycle and water insecurity, health, human rights and intervention, superpowers, carbon cycle and energy security.  We also conduct trips to help complete an NEA and practice core geographical skills.

Methods of study

Geography is also a varied and exciting subject that offers the chance to learn through the use of maps, videos, fieldwork, photographs and data, as well as text.

How will it be examined?

AS qualification will count towards the final grade of an A Level (Legacy).

Career opportunities

Geography graduates are extremely employable thanks to the range of skills they develop. Geographers are able to balance the use of statistics, numerical data and ICT with written and oral reports and group work. Possible careers include; environmental science, consultancy, surveying, town planning, aid work overseas, travel and tourism, meteorology, architecture, law and teaching.