Geography
Curriculum Leader: Mrs K Saad - saadk@saintgeorgescofe.kent.sch.uk
Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future
Sir Michael Palin - President of the Royal Geographical Society
Learning deepens and children continue to investigate a wide range of people, places and environments. They start to learn about the geographical patterns and processes and the political, economic, social and environmental factors affecting people and places.
Intent
Our aim is to provide students with a curriculum that is relevant and engaging, and that develops students as global citizens. Geography helps us to explore and understand space and place - recognising the great differences in cultures, political systems, economies, landscapes and environments across the world, and exploring the links between them. It is therefore our aim, to not only develop students’ love for the subject but also their understanding of the world’s current issues, so that they may play their part in finding solutions.
Our curriculum is constantly reviewed to not only ensure that the needs of all students are met but to ensure that students are educated about the most recent geographical issues.
Implementation
Geography at Saint George’s provides students with the opportunity to develop a breadth of Geographical knowledge that challenges them academically. They are encouraged to reflect on how our world is changing and challenged to consider how their lives have local and global impacts. The curriculum allows students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity, linking to real-world problems and the challenges that our world faces.
We ensure that SEND and disadvantaged children are given the necessary support in class to access the Curriculum fully and that equal opportunities are given to all.
Impact
Assessment practices at Saint George’s aim to ensure students have a breadth of geographical knowledge, focusing on both human and physical geography equally. Additionally, it builds students’ geographical skills in map reading, decision-making and data analysis. As well as developing their skills in literacy and numeracy.
Geography in Key Stage 3 (KS3)
Per fortnight: 3 Lessons
Geography at Key Stage 3 focuses on developing students’ knowledge of the world in which they live. A key focus is developing knowledge of map skills and where places are, applying those skills to population and biome distribution as well as exploring some of the more topical issues that the world is facing. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking as well as problem-solving.
As students progress there is a greater emphasis on the following areas:
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Map Skills | Geology & Glaciation | Russia |
| Term 2 | Britain | Rivers | Political Geographies |
| Term 3 | Biomes | Development | Climate Change |
| Term 4 | Africa | Weather Hazards | Tectonics |
| Term 5 | Coasts | Energy | Geography of Disease |
| Term 6 | Fieldwork Skills | The Middle East | Investigative Geographies |
Geography in Key Stage 4 (KS4)
Per Fortnight: 5 Lessons
Students in Years 10 and 11 follow the Edexcel B Geography specification, which enables students to develop knowledge of key human and physical geography, underpinned through local and global case studies and fieldwork. Students in this course and provided with fundamental transferrable skills and knowledge to help them succeed within Post-16 courses and beyond.
| Year 10 | Year 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | The Living World | Physical Landscapes in the UK (Coasts) |
| Term 2 | The Challenge of Natural Hazards | Physical Landscapes in the UK (Rivers) |
| Term 3 | Urban Issues and Challenges | Resource Management |
| Term 4 | Urban Issues and Challenges | Paper 3 Revision |
| Term 5 | Changing Economic World | Revision |
| Term 6 | Changing Economic World |
GCSE Assessments
The course comprises three main themes, which are assessed by examination.
| Paper 1 (35%) | Paper 2 (35%) | Paper 3 (30%) |
|---|---|---|
| Written Examination. 1 Hour 30 minutes. 88 Marks. | Written Examination. 1 Hour 30 minutes. 88 Marks. | Written Examination. 1 Hour 30 minutes. 76 Marks. |
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Exam Board: AQA GCSE Geography
Geography Future Paths
Students can progress further to obtain an A Level in Geography
From environmental consultancies to planning departments, geography can lead you to a variety of careers including data analyst, construction manager, architectural technologist, landscape architect, transport planner and more.