Geography
Text
Philosophy
Our students will be global citizens whenever their Geography journey ends, who explore and safeguard our planet for future generations.
We want them to gain a sense of awe and wonder and work hard. To understand the forces of change in our complex and dynamic world. Along their journey we encourage our students to empathise and be culturally aware of the vast, incredible human lives in the world. We want students to question, investigate and think critically about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, now and in the future. We strive to develop independence and resilience in our students and provide them with opportunities to learn and think spatially using maps, visual images and new technologies.
Our department is innovative and collaborative in its approach. We work together to support and challenge each other in a constructive manner and therefore continue to develop ourselves as reflective practitioners creating the highest quality resources. We lead the way in geographical learning and teaching. We work with HIAS and schools from within and outside of our Trust to ensure we are offering a consistent approach.
All our students will feel supported academically to make maximum progress while understanding Geography in the wider context of the world. Our learning environment will be safe, exciting and inspire our students to embrace the power of Geography.
Expanders
-
Year 7
Through Year 7 all students study themes including Wonderful Wildern, a topic which takes students through fundamental skills for Geography such as map skills and fieldwork. Then students move onto ‘Our Restless Earth’ where we build on KS2 knowledge of plate tectonics and Earth processes. In the Spring term students move onto the continent of Africa where we complete a regional study, dispelling misconceptions and looking at the role of atmospheric circulation for the position of ecosystems and human processes such as colonialism. Within this topic we explore the human cultures within the continent of Africa. Following Easter students explore UK weather and we look at Wild Weather and the role that Climate Change is having. Students will study hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires.
-
Year 8
Within our year 8 curriculum we start looking at China. We investigate the role of population policies and here we cross over to our UNICEF Rights of the Child where we evaluate and discuss whether these were broken by the One Child Policy. After half term we introduce students to a bespoke unit of work called ‘Commotion in the Ocean’. This is a topic to introduce our students to the issues facing our water from overfishing and bycatch to coral bleaching. We have introduced this topic due to our fantastic local Geography from the River Hamble and our proximity to Southampton Water. After Christmas we explore Conflict through Geography exploring Geopolitics. We move onto coasts and introduce students to a more issues evaluation based way of thought through looking at whether Hurst Spit should be saved. Finally we look at Rivers focusing on the Ramble along the Hamble again teaching fundamental fluvial processes and features through the use of the River Hamble, our local example. This unit has OS map skills woven throughout it. We also explore themes like water safety.
-
Year 9
Year 9 marks the beginning of our GCSE journey where we follow the AQA GCSE Geography specification and continue to build on the learning of our students.
We interleave, revisit and build on knowledge of Tectonic Hazards and Weather Hazards that students study in year 7. We also revisit themes like the global atmospheric circulation model. We use examples from both low income countries and high income countries as well as UK examples where possible. Within this unit we look at climate change studying the causes, effects and management of it. After Christmas we look and learn about Urban Issues and Challenges looking at Rio de Janeiro and Southampton. We are exploring adding a fieldwork opportunity for students using Hedge End. After Easter we look at Rivers exploring key fluvial processes and management. Students are assessed with exam questions throughout the topic and end of unit tests as well as year 9 exams.
-
Year 10
Throughout Year 10 students explore the Living World unit. We look at how the global circulation model has resulted in the location of major world biomes including the hot desert and tropical rainforest which we focus on the challenges and opportunities within these biomes. We look at the role of climate change on the acceleration of desertification.
We then move onto the changing economic world which is an important point of their course to understand why some countries have developed more than others. These themes underpin other elements of the course they will study in year 11.
Finally in year 10 we move onto coasts where we look at management, processes and incorporate this with our statutory fieldwork enquiry.
-
Year 11
In Year 11 our students will study the unit of Resource Management. This explores energy, food and water within the UK and worldwide. We then select that students study the unit of Water within this section due to their exposure to rivers and coastal management and that the themes of sustainable water use and water deficit are prevalent in their daily lives due to our geographical location. Within this unit we explore the themes of climate change and this unit acts as a synoptic link to the rest of their course. Students will sit practice exams in Geography. We then look with students at our pre-release topic which is an unseen element of the course until March. We then prepare students for this. When students have completed the course we use our mock results to inform areas of need and we have a comprehensive programme to support students to tackle these.
Students' home learning is supported throughout KS4 with self-study booklets. These offer students the ability to work independently on their literacy skills, numeracy, provide exam question practice and the opportunity to work on building a bank of revision materials.
Text
Fieldwork
We are proud to offer many inclusive activities such as Year 10 fieldwork to Hengistbury Head and Christchurch, a Year 7 trip to the Living Rainforest, and a Year 8 trip to London’s Sea Life Centre and River Thames boat tour to complement our Commotion in the Ocean Unit. For Year 9 we have speakers from Taylor Wimpey to deliver a problem solving activity and learn about careers in Geography. We also look to run an international trip each year too.
As a team, we continue to evaluate learning and teaching within our department and think creatively about how well we are doing and how we can do better. They are dedicated, experienced practitioners who have a love for the subject.