Geography
Overview
The first lesson we learn in Geography is…… Geography is everything!
Geography permeates all aspects of our everyday life. It affects us all from our journey to school and the factors of current economics that make us decide whether to drive or walk, to exploring in the far-flung reaches of the world and seeing how climate change has affected glaciation or how economics affects development. Keeping the curriculum relevant to the students using up to date case studies and topicality are paramount in the geography department’s planning.
We in the department believe it is crucially important for students to be able to discuss openly the issues of a changing global environment and we encourage the students to share their experiences along the way.
Key Staff
Mr Russell-Smith - Head of Department
Mr Bibby
Mr Birch
Mr Burges
Mrs Fletcher
Mr Macfarlane
Mrs Noss
Curriculum IntentGeography helps students experience the awe and wonder of the world, to understand their place in it and how they can have a positive impact at a local, national and global scale. Geography is essentially the study of everything! |
Key Stage 3
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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Autumn1
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Spring1
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Summer1
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Ecosystems
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KS3 BandingStudents will follow national guidelines throughout Key Stage 3 to support and prepare them for their Key Stage 4 courses. The school operates a banding system of 1-9 (9 being the highest band). Students will be given a target based upon their Key Stage 2 scores and baseline assessments on arrival at Edgbarrow. The band they are awarded at the end of the Key Stage is intended to be indicative of the grade they may achieve at GCSE. Banding |
Key Stage 4
GCSE
Students will be studying the GCSE course in Geography offered by AQA. More information on the can be found www.aqa.org.uk
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GCSE |
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Autumn |
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The Challenge of natural hazards (22 hrs) The Living World (13 hrs) |
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Spring |
1 |
The Living World contd. (9 hrs) Physical landscapes in the UK (20 hrs) |
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Summer |
1 |
Physical landscapes in the UK contd. (3 hrs)
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Autumn |
1 |
The Changing Economic World (18 hrs)
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Spring |
1 |
Issue Evaluation (6-8 hrs)
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Summer |
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Revision (15) hrs Exam date: June/July |
At the end of each topic, students will have an end-of- topic test made up of questions from past exam papers. These will be collected and stored centrally and compared to target bands to inform monitoring and required intervention. Students will also undertake exam questions in specially designed Geography Covey booklets to ensure the students know the content and the required skills. If students miss their target grade by two levels then students will have to retake parts of the test which, as well as any intervention, will also be noted centrally.
We will also have a mock exam at the end of the Physical topics and end of the Human topics at the end of Year 10 and after Christmas in Year 11.
GCSE Students will be assessed as follows –
Paper 1: Living with the physical environment - Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes, 88 marks (including 3 marks for spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terminology (SPaG), 35% of GCSE
Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment - Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes, 88 marks (including 3 marks for SPaG), 35% of GCSE
Paper 3: Geographical applications, Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes, 76 marks (including 6 marks for SPaG), 30% of GCSE, Pre-release resources booklet made available 12 weeks before Paper 3 exam
Key Stage 5
A Level
Students will be studying the A Level course in Geography offered by AQA. They will not be understating the AS in Geography. More information on the can be found at www.aqa.org.uk
- Section A: Water and carbon cycles
- Section B: Coastal systems and landscapes
- Section C: Hazards
- Section A: Global systems and global governance
- Section B: Changing places
- Section C: Contemporary urban environments
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Autumn |
Coastal systems and landscapes |
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Spring |
Water and carbon cycles |
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Summer |
Finish off the above topics if needed |
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Autumn |
Hand in finished Geography fieldwork investigation |
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Spring |
Finish off topics if needed. |
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Summer |
Revision |
A-Level Examinations
Component 1: Physical Geography
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes, 120 marks, 40% of A-level
What's assessed
Component 2: Human Geography
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes, 120 marks, 40% of A-level
What's assessed
Component 3: Geography fieldwork investigation
3,000–4,000 words, 60 marks, 20% of A-level, marked by teachers moderated by AQA
What's assessed
Students complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student relating to any part of the specification content.
Level 1/2 Travel and Tourism (BTEC First Award)
This is a vocational pathway for students who do not currently meet the entry requirements to study Level 3 qualifications. This is a one-year course that will provide you with a practical, real-world approach to learning which will include relevant work experience. This is a stand-alone package and cannot be combined with any other Level 3 course that we offer. This pathway is designed to provide you with progression into future Level 3 course, employment or apprenticeships
Your programme of study is as follows:
- Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Travel and Tourism
- Resit opportunities for GCSE English and Maths (if required)
- Extended Work Experience
- Enhanced tutorial
- Access to a range of enrichment opportunities
Assessments are through assignment-based coursework and by examinations. The assignments are continuous throughout the course with a variety of written reports, reflective journals, presentations, teacher observation, discussions and written tests.
For full course details please see the following website. Alternatively, you can contact a member of the Geography Department.
Travel and Tourism (BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate)
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to gain a realistic idea of what a career in the Travel and Tourism sector can offer.
However, it is not just about gaining skills that can only be used in this sector. The course will give students the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare for employment. Students will not just gain skills related to this sector, but also the knowledge, understanding and skills that they will need to prepare for employment in several industries such as travel and tourism, hospitality, events and business.
The qualification will offer potential career path as well as opportunity’s for progression to higher education and degree programmes within the same or related areas of studies as well as opportunities for full-time employment in the industry.
Students will study the following units over two years:
- The World of Travel and Tourism (Exam)
- Global Destinations (Exam)
- Principles of Marketing in Travel and Tourism
- Visitor Attractions
Lessons are varied and include opportunities for both group work and independent learning. The course allows students to develop:
- Problem-solving skills e.g. using critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions.
- Interpersonal skills e.g. communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation.
- Interpersonal skills e.g. self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.
Course Details
Unit 1: The World of Travel and Tourism (Exam)
This unit provides the foundation for learners to study other units in travel and tourism. They will explore the key components and scale of the industry, using data to analyse key trends and their impact.
Unit 2: Global Destinations (Exam)
Learners investigate and analyse information regarding the features and appeal of global destinations, travel planning, and the factors and trends affecting the changing popularity of global destinations.
Unit 3: Principles of Marketing in Travel and Tourism (internal assessment)
Learners investigate the use of marketing in travel and tourism organisations and how to meet customer expectations in order to inform a promotional campaign of their own design.
Unit 4: Visitor Attractions (internal assessment)
Learners develop analytical skills as they investigate the nature and role of both built and natural visitor attractions, their commercial success, appeal, response to diverse visitor needs and the importance of delivering a memorable visitor experience.
For further information regarding our Geography Curriculum please contact:
Mr Russell-Smith john.russell-smith@edgbarrowschool.co.uk
