Geography
Why study Geography?
Pupils will travel the world from their classroom, exploring unique and important places across all continents. Pupils can only have an awareness of where they are in the world if they have comprehensive knowledge and a deep understanding of the world. We use concepts of space and place as examples of the ‘lenses’ through which geographers view the world in order to understand how the world works. Where do they sit compared to other people? How does their experience, their status, and their identity compare with the rest of the world? Geography helps pupils understand how the world works and gives learners a solid grounding before they go to visit places. Geography teaches the pupils to investigate how other cultures work and how the world can be dangerous as well as beautiful place to live. Geography teaches pupils to be aware that the world is constantly changing and that being factual and precise can be as important as being imaginative. Geography will help pupils understand their place in the world and understand how local actions can have global effects. It is our aim to embed, enrich and develop an extensive geographical knowledge. Moreover, ‘facts’ are not always as clear cut as it might seem; pupils will be encouraged to contest ‘factual’ knowledge as it is liable to change over time.
How will I study Geography?
To develop geographical understanding, we will ensure that our pupils develop specific and detailed knowledge of locations, places, processes and environments, at all scales from the local to the global. Pupils study Geography by looking at the world through key ideas or big questions such as ‘Is China’s influence on the world growing’? The enquiry led questions will help pupils mature in their views of others in a sensitive way; they will engage in rational discussion, dialogue issues and responses and understand that solutions sometimes require compromise. Geography, which is a content-rich subject means that pupils, to answer the big questions, will develop an immense ‘vocabulary’ of places, concepts and processes that underpin them. The geomorphological processes underpinning the physical geography requires an understanding of the unequal resources and implications around the world. Increased student fluency and connection made of geographical knowledge will enable higher levels of analytical and critical thinking. As pupils progress, they will become more confident to think in abstract terms, develop their geographical thinking and identify geographical relationships between geographical phenomena. Pupils will be able to make clear links to knowledge in other subjects and have opportunities to learn outside the classroom. They will become skilled in collecting and interpreting key geographical data through exposure to outdoor learning, including fieldwork, that will help to foster a deeper understanding of geographical features and processes. They will interpret a wide range of geographical information, including maps, diagrams and photographs.
Assessment at Key Stage 4
Examination Board: AQA 8035
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The challenge of natural hazards, the living world, physical landscapes in the UK and geographical skills. |
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Urban issues and challenges, the changing economic world, the challenge of resource management and geographical skills. |
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Issue evaluation, fieldwork and geographical skills. |
Careers
The study of Geography can lead to future careers ranging from landscaping, Countryside Officer, Urban Developer to Ecologist, Conservationist and Community Cohesion Officer.