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Geography

Head of Department:  Mrs S F T Shillito   BSc Hons. PGCE FRGS
 
Geography 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  
Autumn Term    Settlement. Field trip to Bristol to study the redevelopment of Bristol Harbourside and urban zones
Spring Term    Rivers Coasts
Summer Term    Field trip to Lulworth Cove Coursework including a practice shopping survey in Yeovil

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.