Geography
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Introduction to Geography
'Geography prepares young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding to make sense of their world and to face the challenges that will shape our societies and environments at the local, national and global scales’ (Dr Rita Gardner, Director, RGS-IBG).
Through dynamic and engaging lessons, along with a range of fieldwork opportunities, we encourage students to become knowledgeable, balanced and empathetic citizens of their community and the wider world. Our curriculum ensures that students gain the requisite knowledge of physical and human geographical processes so that they are able to think critically, and offer sustainable solutions to local and global challenges.
Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3 students are taught for 2 lessons a week in form groups.
Key Stage 4
GCSE Geography
Exam Board: EDUQAS B
The Course
Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs). Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.
The content of the specification is split into 3 units:
Unit 1: Living with the Physical Environment:
- The Challenge of Natural Hazards
- The Living World
- Physical Landscapes of the UK coasts and rivers
Unit 2: Challenges in the Human Environment
- Urban issues and challenges
- The changing economic world
- The challenge of resource management
Unit 3: Geographical applications
- Issue evaluation
- Fieldwork
How are students assessed?
Students will be assessed through three written examination papers.
The first examination will assess knowledge and understanding of the physical Geography topics in unit one. The second examination will assess knowledge and understanding of the human Geography topics in unit two. The third examination will test the students understanding of the fieldwork exercises that they have completed over the course.
Key Stage 5
A Level Geography
Exam Board: EDUQAS
The Course
The WJEC Eduqas A Level Geography specification encourages learners to apply geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them. In turn this will enable learners to develop a critical understanding of the world’s people, places and environments in the 21st century. Learners should be able to develop both knowledge and understanding of contemporary geographical concepts together with transferable skills that will enable learners to progress to higher education and a range of employment opportunities.
Learners will deepen their knowledge and understanding about physical geography topics such as rivers, coasts and tectonic hazards along with human geography topics such as urban change, migration, energy security and development. Learners will develop fieldwork and independent research skills through the completion of a non-examined assessment.
How are students assessed?
There are four components in total; three of these are examinations whereas one is a 4000 word non-examined assessment.
Component 1: Changing Landscapes and Changing Places
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes.
20.5% of qualification
Component 2: Global Systems and Global Governance
Written examination: 2 hours
27.5% of qualification
Component 3: Contemporary Themes in Geography (Tectonics, China in the modern world and energy security)
Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
32% of qualification
Component 4: Independent Investigation
Non-exam assessment: 3000 to 4000 words
20% of qualification.
Enrichment
The department runs a range of fieldwork opportunities at every key stage, from local day trips to international residential trips as far afield as Iceland.
All students in year 7 attend a day visit to a Bakewell studying the growth of the town, its provision for local people and tourists, as well as practicing fieldwork skills. All years at key stage 3 take part in fieldwork that studies the local area, such as microclimates.
At GCSE students take part in fieldwork days and there is an optional residential trip to a location in the UK, recent trips have visited the Lake District.
All A Level students go on a 4-day residential field trip to complete their independent investigation. This could be anywhere in the UK, but recently we have taken groups to the Lake District and Whitby. There is also an optional international trip to Iceland.
Within the department we provide a key stage 3 club ‘Geogglebox’ at lunchtime and revision and NEA support is provided throughout GCSE and A level.
Furthermore, at A level a number of students work with the department as Geography Ambassadors; supporting in lessons; Primary Liaison Evenings and Options Evenings.
Progression Opportunities
Geography is a well-regarded, academic subject, providing crucial knowledge and skills that enhance progression opportunities across various fields. Studying geography fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, making the subject highly employable and adaptable to diverse career paths. These skills are especially relevant to careers in journalism, business, travel and tourism, urban and rural planning, environmental management, surveying and teaching. Many students go on to study the subject at A Level, and it combines well with both science and arts subjects. The subject is also equally useful as a foundation for a range of vocational courses.