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

 

Autumn 1

Autumn 2

Spring 1

Spring 2

Summer 1

Summer 2

 

Y7

 

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

 

Y8

 

Trans-Asian Express

India

Fragile Environments – Polar Express

North America – The Open Road

Geography

of Sport

Africa

On Safari

Geography of Fashion

 

Y9

 

South American Trek –  Amazonia

Global Hazards

A restless earth

Global Env.

Issues:

Development

Global Rivers

The Middle East

Global

weather

 

Y10

 

T1b:

Hazardous Earth

T1a:

Climate Change  

T2:

Development dynamics

 

T3:

Challenges of an urbanising world

T4a: Geology

T4b: Coastal change & conflict

T4c:

River processes and pressure

T6: Geographical Investigations

 

Y11

 

T5a:

Case Study: London

T5b:

UK Human landscape

T7:

People and the biosphere

T8:

Forests under threat

T9:

Consuming energy/resources

 

 

Key Stage 4 Specification

Subject Leader:

Mr R Verbruggen

Contact:

rverbruggen@sunburymanor.surrey.sch.uk

Exam Specification:

Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Geography B  – 1GB0

QN Code:

601/8135/7

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

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

  • 1 day in a physical environment e.g. coast or river
  • 1 day in a human environment e.g. urban or rural area

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.

What skills will I develop?

The study of GCSE Geography can help you to:

  • Appreciate the geographical, numerical & statistical skills you need to succeed by working through clear explanations of each skill.
  • Develop such skills as you progress through the GCSE course with a range of practical activities.
  • Prepare for fieldwork questions using detailed support on investigative skills, fieldwork techniques and geographical enquiry.