Geography
Head of Department: Mrs S F T Shillito BSc Hons. PGCE FRGSGeography at A-level and degree level is considered a qualification for a wide range of career options ranging from law to soil science or meteorology. The subject demands a wide variety of skills including map reading, essay writing, statistics, practical fieldwork skills, geographical information systems and ICT. It is the only subject besides Business Studies where ICT is examined as part of the GCSE examination.
Human, physical and environmental geography are studied and the subject complements a variety of arts and science subjects.
Geography is taught in a suite of rooms in Kingston supported by 3 computers and a projector with internet access.
ICT is used extensively in teaching via a ceiling mounted projector. However students often use the school IT suites to support self learning. Most years get the opportunity to do fieldwork. At present this takes place in the local area.
Work is marked using the school's system of assessing both for attainment and effort. At the end of each topic there is a test with an examination at the end of the year.
Preps vary from completing the class activity to research. In year 8 students carry out a river study and spend half a term writing up their findings. Similarly Year 11s have to write up coursework over a period of time. Such open-ended work requires considerable discipline on behalf of the student.
Programme for Key Stage 3
Year 7
Autumn Term Ordnance Survey maps and atlas maps
Spring Term Tectonics – volcanoes and earthquakes
Summer Term British Isles Orienteering
Year 8
Autumn Term Rivers including a river study day along the River Axe
Spring Term Weather and Climate. A chance to run the school weather station
Summer Term Ecosystems. A trip to the Eden Project
Year 9
Autumn Term Development
Spring Term Economic Activity
Summer Term Antarctica and Global Issues
Key Stage 4
We study AQA Specification A. Students must carry out a small piece of fieldwork over the summer holidays between years 10 and 11 as part of their coursework.
There are two written papers –
Paper 1 - Skills and Physical Geography
Paper 2 – Human Geography
Year 10 are beginning the new AQA specification A which is a modular course. There are 3 units:
Unit 1 - Physical Geography 37.5% weighting
Unit 2 - Human Geography 37.5% weighting
Unit 3 - Local Field Work Investigation. This takes the form of a controlled assessment with a 25% weighting.
Unit 2 is covered in Year 10, with Units 1 and 3 taught and assessed in Year 11.
Year 10
Autumn Term The Changing Urban Environment; including a field work day in Bristol. Changing the Rural Environment (start).
Spring Term Complete Changing the Rural Environment.
Summer Term The Coastal Zone including a field day at Lulworth Cove.
Examination - Unit 2 Human Geography.
Year 11
Autumn Term Write up Coursework, Tectonics, Start Agriculture
Spring Term Mocks, Complete Agriculture Resources and Tourism
Summer Term Revision GCSE written papers
Geography - Course of Study at AS and A2
Please note that whilst Geography GCSE is desirable to study this course, it is not essential.
AS Unit 1 2 hours – Physical and Human Geography
Answer 4 questions -1 each from core physical and core human geography and one each from physical and human options
Core Physical: Rivers, floods and their management
Physical Options:
Coastal Environments
Cold Environments
Desert Environments and their margins
Core Human: Population Change
Human Options:
Food supply issues
Energy issues
Health issues
AS Unit 2 1 hour – Geographical Skills
A2 Unit 3 2 ¼ hours – Contemporary Geographical Issues
This paper includes structured and essay questions. Candidates must answer 3 questions – two structured and one essay and must include one physical and one human topic.
Topics:
Plate tectonics
Weather and Climate
Challenges facing Ecosystems
World Cities
Development and Globalisation
Contemporary Conflicts and Challenges
A2 Unit 4 1 ½ hours – Either a paper based on fieldwork or one based on a contemporary issue.
