Geography
Curriculum Intent
Geography is the study of the Earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live. Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences (human geography) with the natural sciences (physical geography). Human geography concerns the understanding of the dynamics of cultures, societies and economies, and physical geography concerns the understanding of the dynamics of physical landscapes and the environment.
Sunbury Manor students leave with an improved knowledge of the world, a better understanding of how it works and the geographical skills to support their understanding. In essence, we help students to think and speak like a geographer.
Our KS3 geography is relevant, engaging and progressive. It highlights the pupil centred approach of the new curriculum by providing opportunities for developing students as individuals and as contributors to society, the economy and the environment. It enables the students to see their own place in a national, European and Global context. To enable this, our lessons are sequences of learning, which are enabled through our spiral curriculum. This allows us to take students on a journey from continent to continent meaning they can build upon previously taught skills whilst gaining new geographical content.
Year 7: Students journey starts with a baseline assessment which is linked with the KS2 geography curriculum. This provides staff with an insight into any areas of weakness that require addressing. Students study the following; Knowing Our World (Geographical skills), Europe (Tour de Britain, Weather & rocks and Eastern borders). Their journey ends on the Trans-Atlantic express in China.
Year 8: Students continue their journey across Asia by visiting India. This is followed by Fragile Environments, North America, Geography of Sport, Africa and finally the Geography of Fashion.
Year 9: Students continue their journey by learning about Tropical rainforests, Global Hazards, Development, Global rivers and finally Global weather.
KS4 Geography has seen an increase in uptake, becoming a popular optional subject. It provides the necessary tools, knowledge and skills for pathways into degrees linked with social science, humanities, environmental studies & law. The study of geography enables students to form balanced holistic arguments, supported by the relevant evidence.
Teachers in the geography department voluntarily contribute their time to providing revision classes after school. Students have also been involved in competitions and quizzes within school and with other schools. We contribute significantly to environmental awareness throughout the school. Students in Year 9 undertake investigations involving fieldwork in London. At KS4 students also have the opportunity to experience both human and physical geography fieldtrips as part of their GCSE course.
Geography is a leading academic subject which overlaps with other subjects too, leading to students:
- Developing transferable cross-curricular skills
- An expansion of literacy & numeracy skills whilst incorporating a holistic approach to learning
- Becoming more aware of global issues and their impact upon our everyday lives
When telling stories, we use metaphors, analogies, rich imagery and vivid language which then inspires students to share their own experiences of the world. We deliver explanations using multisensory experiences: photos, video, clips & diagrams. The team also makes use of dual coding meaning we use both visual & auditory processes, drawing on visual elements to aid our explanations during our teaching.
The Geography department is led by a Chartered Geographer alongside two other subject specialists. We are based in the Humanities building that has three well resourced, designated classrooms with access to our own fieldwork equipment. The world is vast and our explanation can make it come alive in our classroom, meaning we are the most powerful resource students can draw on. Our role is to provide a link between our knowledge and students thirst for knowledge.
Curriculum Overview
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Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
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Y7
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Knowing Our World: atlas skills |
Knowing Our World: Map skills |
European Tour – Tour de Britain |
European Tour – Eastern borders* |
Trans-Asian Express: China* |
Trans-Asian Express: Japan |
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Y8
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Trans-Asian Express India |
Fragile Environments – Polar Express |
North America – The Open Road |
Geography of Sport |
Africa – On Safari |
Geography of Fashion |
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Y9
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South American Trek – Amazonia |
Global Hazards – A restless earth |
Global Env. Issues: Development |
Global Rivers |
The Middle East |
Global weather |
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Y10
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T1b: Hazardous Earth T1a: Climate Change |
T2: Development dynamics
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T3: Challenges of an urbanising world |
T4a: Geology T4b: Coastal change & conflict |
T4c: River processes and pressure |
T6: Geographical Investigations |
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Y11
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T5a: Case Study: London |
T5b: UK Human landscape |
T7: People and the biosphere |
T8: Forests under threat |
T9: Consuming energy/resources |
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Key Stage 4 Specification
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Subject Leader: |
Mr R Verbruggen |
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Contact: |
rverbruggen@sunburymanor.surrey.sch.uk |
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Exam Specification: |
Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Geography B – 1GB0 |
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QN Code: |
601/8135/7 |
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Summary of course content The school will follow Edexcel’s GCSE Geography B (9-1) syllabus. GEOGRAPHY – Why study it? The GCSE geography course will cover both the physical and human environments of the UK and the complex interaction of processes that shape our world. It will show the applied side of the subject - how human intervention affects the environment and how people adapt and mitigate the effects of processes on their environment. This is complex and dynamic and varies from place to place depending on people’s resources, technology and culture. There is plenty of room for discussion and extended research which will help you become an independent thinker and learner. By the time you get to your exams, you will be able to show your understanding of a range of opinions and be able to illustrate your answers with case studies from local, national and international examples. The specification and support material for this course can be found using the following link: http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-b-2016.html |
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Assessment The specification is divided into the following areas: Paper 1: Global Geographical Issues: Hazardous Earth, Development Dynamics and Challenges of an urbanising world. (94 marks (4 marks for SPaST), 3 sections, 1 Hour 30 Minutes) 37.5% of total GCSE Paper 2: UK Geographical Issues: The UK’s evolving physical landscape; The UK’s evolving human landscape and Geographical Investigations (94 marks (4 marks for SPaST), 3 sections, 1 Hour 30 Minutes) 37.5% of total GCSE Paper 3: People and Environment Issues – Making Geographical Decisions: People and the biosphere, Forests under threat, Consuming energy resources and making a geographical decision (64 marks (4 marks for SPaST), 4 sections, 1 Hour 30 Minutes) 25% of total GCSE Fieldwork: COMPULSORY FIELD WORK
EXAMINED AS PART OF PAPER 2 What type of activities take place in lessons? Essay questions, research tasks, exam question practise, discussions, group and paired work activities, speech writing and presentations, chance to use ICT in the afore-mentioned tasks. What type of homework tasks will be set? Revision for exam questions, background reading on all topics, how to approach exam style questions, key vocabulary revision and mind-mapping topics. How will it help me in the future? Geography combines well with arts, maths and science subjects. Geography is a broad based subject that really fits well for your future progression. For careers in SUSTAINABILITY and GREEN ISSUES, urban regeneration, energy supply, retail location, managing the effects of hazards and climate change, geography is an obvious choice. For careers in the WORLD OF BUSINESS, an understanding of global economics forms an important part of geography. If you are thinking of a career in LAW, HUMAN RIGHTS, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS or WELFARE then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as; how do we measure development? What are the consequences of migration on societies? If you are working towards a future course in MEDICINE or VETERINARY MEDICINE then GCSE geography is a stepping stone towards geography A Level, as you will gain a clear understanding of how the environment affects health and survival of people, animals & ecosystems as well as enhancing your skills of writing essays & extended reports. |
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What skills will I develop? The study of GCSE Geography can help you to:
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