Geography

Ethos and Values

We aim:

• To enhance children's quality of learning through the effective delivery of the Geography curriculum.
• To raise attainment by encouraging all students to have high aspirations of themselves.
• To enable students to develop into confident individuals who have a genuine interest in, and respect for the world in which they live.
• To have consistently high expectations and match these with high quality resources and learning strategies.
• To provide a range of educational experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of our students.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour, its consequences for other humans and the world they inhabit are important to all students in understanding the world in which we live.

Geography allows you to develop key world information and to develop a variety of skills. A successful Geographer will be able to:

• Understand what motivates people, what they think and feel.
• Gather and read different kinds of information.
• Read maps, graphs and other diagrams.
• Communicate clearly and learn to express yourself verbally and on paper.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, displaying a good standard of written English.
• Present arguments and consider viewpoints.
• Work safely in different locations whilst undertaking fieldwork.
• Use specialised fieldwork equipment to gather information about the locations your visit.
• Develop the use of subject specialist equipment and ICT.

Resources and Facilities

We have dedicated, professional and fully qualified staff, who are passionate about and dedicated to teaching and learning in Geography.

We offer dedicated, well equipped and comfortable classrooms, equipped with interactive facilities or a projector and a wide range of quality resources and subject specific software.

We also have access to a ICT suite which can be utilised across all year groups.

Courses and Qualifications

Key Stage 3

Our Geography curriculum is based around eight key concepts:

• Location and Place
• Sustainability
• Perspectives
• Interactions
• Change
• Landscapes
• Processes

As Geography is such a diverse subject, we strongly promote the interactions between different units within our Humanities curriculum. We passionately believe that exposing students to as many different countries and landscapes as possible, we can minimise misconceptions and prepare our students to be educated for future Key Stage 4 study, irrelevant of whether they choose to take Geography as an option choice.

Year 7 - Exploring the UK

In Year 7 students study the Geography of the United Kingdom. This includes a map skills-based introduction developing the understanding of our local area. We then consider the growth of settlements in the UK with a focus on the opportunities and challenges faced as a result of settlement growth. Students consider the weather and climate which includes a fieldwork investigation. This then leads into the study our local area through the study of river landscapes and the impacts that river flooding has on local towns such as Louth. Students then consolidate the knowledge and skills learnt throughout the year by studying the challenges faced in the UK including water shortages, waste issues and air pollution.

Year 8 - Widening Horizons

Our Year 8 curriculum is predominantly focussed on broadening horizons and challenging misconceptions. Students first learn about changing coastal landscapes the issues of coastal erosion and the impacts this has on various stakeholders. This is followed by a unit which aims to develop students understanding of the complexions of the global economy through the study of a book ‘The Almighty Dollar’. This provides an excellent basis for future learning. Students then consider the causes and consequences of uneven development and some of the methods used to reduce the global development gap. This unit is finalised with an investigation into the quality of life in the local area. Students then continue to develop their understanding of physical processes though the study of earthquakes and volcanoes and the significant impacts on people, the economy and the environment. Finally, students are able to continue to widen their horizons and consolidate Year 7 and Year 8 knowledge through the study of Africa and tropical rainforests.

Year 9 - 21st Century Issues

Our Year 9 curriculum aims to build on the knowledge and skills taught in the two previous years through considering many abstract current and topical global issues. Students further develop their understanding of physical landscapes through the study of cold environments and glaciation and their changing as a result of climate change. Climate change remains our next focus with explicit consideration of the causes, consequences and reduction of such a global issue. Fieldwork is completed in Year 9 through the study of the attitudes of our local area towards climate change. Furthermore, students' development their locational knowledge by applying their understanding to the case study of Russia and the countries complex relationship with the wider world. We then focus on the issues faces in the Middle East and the focus on conflict, tourism and human rights issues, for example the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Asia is also a significant focus through the study of population control methods, environmental damage and flooding.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, students complete a full GCSE qualification in Geography, with examinations taking place at the end of Year 11; students are also required to take part in fieldwork. They will sit three examinations at the end of Year 11:

• Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment (35% of GCSE);
• Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment (35% of GCSE);
• Paper 3: Geographical Applications (30% of GCSE).

During the course, students will investigate themes such as Natural Hazards, Weather Hazards, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Physical Landscapes in the UK, Urban Issues and Challenges, and the Changing Economic World.

As part of their studies, students will be expected to complete two geographical enquiries, including the use of primary data collected as part of a fieldwork exercise. Thus, during the course of their GCSE studies, all students will take part in two fieldtrips to contrasting environments, enabling them to develop their knowledge of both physical and human geography and how they interact together.

The study of GCSE Geography enables students to develop their skills in each of the following areas:

• Cartographic skills - the ability to use and interpret different types of maps in an accurate manner.
• Graphical skills - the ability to select and construct appropriate graphs to present data.
• Numerical skills - the ability to understand number, area and scales and to draw informed conclusions from data.
• Statistical skills - the ability to use appropriate measures, calculate percentages, identify trends and make predictions.
• Literacy skills - the ability to communicate information in a suitable manner and the accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Throughout Key Stage 3 there are numerous opportunities to develop fieldwork skills within the Academy site and the local area. Additionally, there are several opportunities to take part in local and national competitions.

At Key Stage 4, GCSE students undertake two fieldtrips to contrasting environments, enabling them to develop their knowledge and understanding of both physical and human geography. Examples of past fieldtrips include a visit to the Holderness Coast to investigate the impact of coastal management, and a visit to Hull to study urban regeneration in the St Stephen's shopping area.

Where Does It Take Me in The Future?

The study of Geography lets you develop skills which could lead to many different career choices. Some examples of careers you could choose are:

Accountancy, Administration, Archaeology, Architecture, Broadcasting, Civil Service, Diplomatic Service, Drama Theatre and the Performing Arts, Education, Environment and Conservation, Finance, Information Management, Law, Media, Teaching, Public Relations, Journalist, Legal Executive, Police, Politics, Publishing, Sales and Marketing, Solicitor, Tourism, Town Planning and TV Researching. The opportunities are endless…

Geography is accepted by almost all employers and universities as the wide range of skills and knowledge provided allows the student to develop as an individual. Most universities offer courses featuring this subject to give students the opportunity for further development.