Geography
Head of Department: Mr M McDavid
Welcome to Claremont High School Academy’s Geography Department webpage. In today's globally interconnected society, it is increasingly important that we understand the world around us. The aim of the Claremont High School Academy Geography Department is to develop inquisitive learners with an understanding of the complex interactions that affect our planet, from the local to the global. Students will investigate both physical and human aspects of geography to discover their role in our increasingly global world.
At Claremont, the geography department produce some excellent results at all key stages, with the majority of students achieving their target grades or higher. Geography is a popular subject at Key Stage 3 with a high number of pupils choosing to study geography at GCSE level and beyond.
Curriculum Intent
Why study Geography?
Knowledge and understanding
Geography is the study of the earth. It equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.
Skills
Geography is also about developing a wide range of skills. Geography builds on pupil’s numeracy skills providing an opportunity for pupils to apply mathematics to real life data and situations. Geography improves literacy in pupils expanding their vocabulary whilst enhancing their ability to construct well-structured written responses supported with factual evidence.
Pupils develop the ability to interpret Ordnance Survey maps in the classroom and the field, including using grid references and scale, topographical and other thematic mapping, and aerial and satellite photographs. Pupils have the opportunity to use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to view, analyse and interpret places and data.
Fieldwork
Geography is about learning beyond the classroom. Fieldwork opportunities throughout their geographical education help develop pupil’s independent learning skills and sense of enquiry. Fieldwork requires pupils to carry out data collection in contrasting environments in the UK and teaches them to explore and ask questions about the world around them.
Key Stage 3
Year 7 and 8
Pupils in Year 7 and 8 consolidate and extend their knowledge of the world’s major countries and their physical and human features. They learn how geographical processes interact to create distinctive human and physical landscapes that change over time. Pupils develop greater competence in using geographical knowledge, approaches and concepts [such as models and theories] and geographical skills in analysing and interpreting different data sources.
Year 7 and 8 Schemes of Work:
Year 7 Geography Scheme of Work
Year 8 Geography Scheme of Work
Year 9
All Year 9 students will benefit from studying some of the most important, topical and engaging topics geography has to offer – Tectonics, Development, Weather & Climate Change. For those who choose to study geography beyond year 9, this ensures students have a strong foundation knowledge and the skills required to study geography at GCSE level.
Year 9 Geography Scheme of Work
Key stage 4
At Claremont, students will follow the AQA GCSE Geography Grade 9-1 Syllabus which builds upon the GCSE foundation year to develop students' understanding of both physical and human geography and improve their geographical skills. Topics include ‘The Challenge of Natural Hazards’, ‘The Living World’, ‘Physical Landscapes in the UK’, ‘Urban Issues and Challenges’, ‘The Changing Economic World’ and ‘The Challenge of Resource Management’. Year 11 students will also take part in a fieldtrip to Norfolk in late September/early October of Year 11. This which will enable them to prepare for their Geographical Applications exam, which focuses on fieldwork skills and an issues evaluation.
Exam Structure:
Students will sit 3 exams at the end of the course.
Paper 1 – Physical geography
Paper 2 – Human geography
Paper 3 – Geographical Applications (Skills)
Fieldwork
Students are required to attend two fieldwork investigations – one physical enquiry and one human enquiry.
The physical enquiry investigates the Norfolk coast and requires students to attend a 3 day residential trip to Norfolk.
The human enquiry investigates the impacts of regeneration in Wembley and requires students to attend a one-day fieldtrip in the local area.
It is essential that ALL students attend these trips in order for them to answer questions in the Paper 3 examination worth 30% of the final grade.
Key Stage 5
At Claremont, students will follow the AQA A Level Geography Syllabus. The qualification enables students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of both physical and human geography whilst building on geographical skills and fieldwork established at GCSE. In physical geography, students explore a range of physical landscapes and develop a greater understanding of the impact of the water and carbon cycle on our planet. In human geography, students investigate global governance, changing places and contemporary urban spaces. Year 12 students will attend a UK based fieldtrip to prepare them for their Independent Fieldwork Investigation which makes up 20% of the final grade.
In order to support independent learning we provide students with their own text books and access to an online copy of the A Level textbook.
Exam Structure:
Students will sit 2 exams at the end of the course and complete one fieldwork investigation.
Paper 1 – Physical Geography Paper 2 – Human Geography
Year 12
Term |
Topics Covered |
Assessments |
Autumn Term |
Component 1 Section A: Water and Carbon Cycle Component 2 Section A: Global Systems and Governance |
Topic assessments for each topic covered
|
Spring Term |
Component 1 Section B: Coastal Systems and Landscapes Component 2 Section B: Changing Places |
Topic assessments for each topic covered
|
Summer Term |
Component 1 Section B: Coastal Systems and Landscapes Component 2 Section B: Changing Places Component 3: Fieldwork Investigation July 2022 |
June End of Year 12 Exam
|
Year 13
Term |
Topics Covered |
Assessments |
Autumn Term |
Component 1 Section C: Hazards Component 2 Section C: Population and the Environment Component 3: Geographical Fieldwork Investigation - to be completed independently outside lessons.(Deadline Fri 10th Dec) |
Topic assessments for each topic covered
|
Spring Term |
Component 1 Section C: Hazards (complete) Component 2 Section C: Population and the Environment (complete) Component 3: Geographical Fieldwork Investigation - amendments and improvements to marked first draft to be made by students (Deadline March 20th)
REVISION of Component 1 (Physical Geography topics) REVISION of Component 2 (Human Geography topics) |
|
Summer Term |
REVISION of Component 1 (Physical Geography topics) REVISION of Component 2 (Human Geography topics) |
Final exams
|
Enrichment
Enrichment through fieldwork
Fieldwork is viewed as an essential part of the Geography Curriculum and therefore opportunities have been built into the curriculum to allow students to take part in fieldwork investigations in the local area. Students also have the opportunity to take part in trips which enhance and enrich their geographical knowledge and understanding.
As part of the KS3 curriculum, each year takes part in a fieldwork investigation either on the school site or in the local community. This includes assessing microclimates and ecosystems at Claremont and gaining an insight in to opinions of people in the local area. Students then map this data using GIS.
The department also runs some very popular residential trips in Year 10 and Year 12 – both for coursework/examination preparation. The Year 10 students complete local fieldwork in Wembley to investigate the impacts of regeneration and take part in a residential field trip to Norfolk to carry out a fieldwork investigation into the impacts of coastal processes. These trips also include some additional enriching activities such as rock climbing and archery. Year 12 students also take part in a residential fieldtrip to Nettlecombe in Somerset to plan and collect data for their NEA.
Geography Co-Curricular
The Geography Department runs the weekly Model UN Club. This involves students in groups taking the roles of countries and international organisations to debate some of the biggest issues facing the world today. Recent topics have included reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the role of Antarctica and the ethics of sweatshop labour. Model UN is open for all students from Year 9 to Year 13.
Additionally, the Geography Department run a "Geography Club" each week for year 7 and 8 students where students learn about different parts of the world each week.
There are also a number of opportunities for students to take part in geography competitions. This includes the Geography Nature Photography Competition for staff and students, the annual KS3 Geography college quiz, and the Biome backpack competition in Year 8.
Next Steps