Geography KS3 & KS4

Head of Faculty: Mr G Cox

Co-Second in Faculty: Miss L Fowler and Miss O Doran

"Geography is the subject that holds the key to our future” – Michael Palin

In Geography we look to prepare students to be active and informed learners who are able to question and investigate their environments through this dynamic subject. We use a range of teaching and learning activities including group work, enquiry, ICT, drama and fieldwork to actively investigate a range of different places, landforms and processes and develop students’ geographical imaginations.

Key Stage 3

What will I learn?

The KS3 curriculum is designed to reflect the national curriculum for Geography as well as embedding the skills and qualities required to prepare students for study at a higher level.

Key Stage 4

What will I learn?

Geography is a dynamic and popular subject that provides a good knowledge and understanding of modern issues and enables students to form opinions on environmental and social problems.  It provides a clear overall view of the world in the first part of the 21st century. Geography includes important decision making skills which will allow students to show their ability to investigate information and reach conclusions.  Geography is an ‘enabling’ subject which means post 16 and university providers use it to show students’ skills as well as subject knowledge. If students want to achieve the EBacc, they will need to study Geography with a Language.

Geography is a ‘today’ subject. It deals with what is happening in the world around us and it is about people in different places and how they relate to their environment. During the GCSE course, students will study a wide range of themes and places and have the chance to investigate geographical problems by gathering information and making decisions on local and global issues. Students will cover three topic areas:

• Physical environment:  Natural Hazards, UK Landscapes, The Living World
• Human environment:  Urban Issues and Challenges, The Changing Economic World, Resource Management
• Geographical applications: Two days of fieldwork out of school; cartographic, statistical, data and decision making skills.

How will I be assessed?

Exam Board:  AQA GCSE Geography 8035

In Geography, all assessment takes place during final examinations:

Paper 1 – Living  with the physical world: 1 hour 30 minutes. 35% of total grade
Paper 2 – Challenges in the human environment: 1 hour 30 minutes. 35% of total grade
Paper 3 – Geographical applications: 1 hour 15 minutes. 30% of total grade

Question types include multiple choice, short answer and longer extended prose.
Entry is by one tier offering the whole 9-1 range of grades.

Where will this take me?

The GCSE course is ideal preparation for those of you wishing to study Geography, Business, Tourism or Environmental Sciences at a higher level. The course is also a good basis for courses or careers that require decision making  and good communication skills such as: teaching, journalism, law, politics, environmental management, geology, armed forces, engineering, architecture and many more.

KS3 and KS4 Geography Curriculum Map