Geography

Overview

Geography is everywhere, all the time - it's the key to unlocking our world! Geography studies the different patterns and processes that affect our lives in today's world, covering both physical geography and social (human) geography. Through learning geography, explaining some of the big issues that affect our world - such as extreme weather, climate change, poverty, changes to the natural world - becomes possible. The aim of the Geography department is to engage students by learning about exciting topics that focus on the importance of people and the world that we live in. This is done through a variety of different case studies, field visits and topic projects. 

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Year 7 & 8 - see Project Based Learning

Year 9 - Students study the topic of ‘risk’ on a local and global level and will develop an understanding of the key issues. They will learn about ‘tourism’ – particularly focusing on the positive and negative aspects both locally and further afield. The Year 9 course will finish with a study about ‘Fair Trade’, including a media project looking at factory workers and poverty in third world countries.

Key Stage 4

When choosing their options for GCSEs, students are encouraged to take either History or Geography – they can also choose to take both. These are both extremely popular subjects and equip students with many transferable skills that will support their other studies.

Year 10 - Students complete a study linked to physical geography, initially focusing on hazards. They will learn about the structure of the earth and the causes and consequences of earthquakes, volcanoes and weather hazards, with reference to case studies such as the earthquakes of Chile and Nepal as well as Typhoon Haiyan and the Somerset Levels floods.  The second unit of study focuses on the living world where the focus is on eco systems, tropical rainforests and cold environments. Trips will enable students to look at eco systems in more depth. Students also study physical landscapes in the UK including coastal landscapes and river landscapes. Making the most of our Jurassic Coast location, this unit includes trips to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove to look at how coastal landforms are created through erosion, as well as a trip to Swanage Beach to complete a study on longshore drift.

Year 11 - At the start of Year 11 students complete two field work investigations, one focusing on physical geography and one on human geography. Students also complete a study linked to human geography, including urban issues and challenges. They look at global patterns and urban change, urban growth in a city, changes in cities and sustainability, exploring case studies such as Rio de Janeiro, Bristol and Freiburg in Germany. There is also a focus on the changing economic world where they study the development gap, economic growth in Nigeria and the UK's changing economy.  Students also learn about the challenge of resource management, with a particular focus on food resources.

Further Information

Exam Board: AQA Geography