Geography
Head of Subject: Mrs S Keyworth
The Geography Department has a number of specialist and experienced staff. Teaching takes place in three dedicated teaching rooms; all with interactive whiteboards and visualisers. Additional accommodation includes classrooms shared with other departments. The Geography Department is well resourced with numerous text books and digital resources.
Geography is taught in mixed ability groups across the full age range. In Years 7 to 9, students are taught in form groups, having three periods of Geography per fortnight.
Subject Vision
The focus and vision of the department and students that we teach is inspiring curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, drawing on a wide range of experiences, resources and materials. We aim to help students become global citizens, well rounded individuals who are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the modern world.
We want to students across all key stages to:
● Enrich their knowledge of the wider world and culture that we live in.
● Develop a curiosity and wider understanding of the world we live in.
● Ensure students are conversant with current and relevant Geographical issues at a range of
scales from local to global.
● Develop a wide range of transferable skills.
● Broaden their horizons.
● Develop skills – decision making, mathematical, fieldwork skills.
● Develop independent study skills and enquiry research. This is achieved via fieldwork
opportunities in all three key stages along with appropriate follow up work.
● Demonstrate progression in their knowledge, skills and understanding.
● Deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes.
● Experience fieldwork opportunities at a range of scales in both human and physical
environments
Field work is an integral part of the Department’s work, specific examples are to be found within the Intent sections
We believe that teamwork is essential to the success of the Department. Teachers contribute fully to the development of the Department and are actively involved in curriculum design, fieldwork and ICT as well as involvement in whole school issues.
Geography surrounds us on the world map in the classroom, in events on the news and in changes taking place in the local area and further afield.
Geographers strive to better understand the connections between the worlds people, places and environments and the interactions taking place between them.
At Mayflower, students are encouraged to have enquiring minds and ask questions such as:
Where is this place?
Why is it like this?
How is it connected with other places?
How is this place changing?
Key Stage 3 Intent and Implementation
Key Stage 3 students develop a range of geographical skills. These include:
ICT including Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Fieldwork
Data interpretation and analysis
Use of photographs and analysis
Geographical enquiry and communication
Understanding of different places
Exploring interconnections and change
Developing geographical vocabulary
Using primary and secondary sources of evidence
Developing opinions and showing awareness of bias.
Year 7 topics:-
What skills do I need as a Geographer?
What happens where the sea meets the land?
How do we use our planet as a natural resource?
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Year 8 topics:-
Why are rivers important?
Is the Geography of Russia a curse or a benefit?
What are the challenges and opportunities of the UK?
What is my place in the world? (Globalisation and Development)
Year 9 topics:-
Are cities becoming too densely populated?
Will we ever know enough about earthquakes and volcanoes to live safely?
Sustaining Ecosystems (GCSE)
Where is geography embedded in your future?
Field work is an integral part of the Department’s work. In Year 7, students take part in school based fieldwork enquiries. Year 8 students visit Wat Tyler Country Park to investigate the sustainability of the visitor centre, they complete an enquiry into the local country park and also practice their orienteering skills.
Key Stage 4 Intent and Implementation
DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE
Geography is a highly topical subject, ever changing as world events unfold. The GCSE Geography course will help students make sense of what is going on in the world around them. The OCR B GCSE is contemporary, dynamic and exciting. It will encourage students to become a global citizen by exploring peoples’ place in the world, their values and responsibilities to others and the environment.
GCSE Geography provides a clear progression from Key Stage 3 Geography. It will help students to be more aware of everyday situations and issues faced by people in the UK and in the world around them. They will make links between the topics and approach the subject in an enquiring way.
Geography has strong links with other subjects including Science, Mathematics, RS, Lifeskills, and ICT and is ideal for a balanced curriculum.
The Geography GCSE will enable students to use and develop a wide range of essential skills and techniques such as communication, problem solving, enquiring and decision making which are transferrable across subjects and of course into the world of work. It will also develop more subject specific skills including fieldwork, cartographic (map), graphical, numerical and statistical skills.
The study of Geography can lead to a wide range of careers and is valued as an academic qualification by employers.
The course provides an excellent foundation for A level Geography.
CONTENT OF THE COURSE
The specification consists of three units (01, 02, 03)
Our Natural World (01)
• Global Hazards
• Changing Climate
• Distinctive Landscapes
• Sustaining Ecosystems
• Fieldwork
• Geographical Skills
People and Society (02)
• Urban Futures
• Dynamic Development
• UK in the 21st Century
• Resource Reliance
• Fieldwork
• Geographical Skills
Geographical Exploration (03)
• Geographical Skills
• Decision Making Exercise
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an essential element of the GCSE Geography course. It must take place on at least two occasions, in contrasting locations and in both physical and human geographical contexts. It will be assessed within the Our Natural World (01) and People and Society (02) Units. Year 10 students currently undertake a residential fieldwork course in Surrey.
Assessment Methods:-
Our Natural World (01)
35% of total GCSE
70 Marks
1 hour 15 minutes written paper
People and Society (02)
35% of total GCSE
70 Marks
1 hour 15 minutes written paper
Geographical Exploration (03)
30% of total GCSE
60 Marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
EXAM BOARD: OCR
SPECIFICATION: Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds) (9-1) - J384 (from 2016)
For further details, please click on the link below: