Geography
Geographical knowledge is highly relevant to many of the challenges facing society and the environment today; our big question looks at some of these challenges. You will learn specialist and transferable skills including statistical, spatial and environmental analysis. Students will learn how to critically analyse sources and data, to judge evidence and work across the social and natural sciences as well as tackling problems and examining big issues at a variety of scales and from different perspectives.
KS3
All of our KS3 topics are based around a ‘big question’. This encourages an enquiry approach allow students to explore different geographical approaches. At Oaks Park we have a number of trips and workshops throughout the year from the UCL GeoBUS to trips to the Museum of London. We have worked with Google on Google Expedition workshops as well as entering students for a number of national competitions such as Young Geographer at the RGS and Young Town Planners. By the end of KS3, students will have a sound knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
Year 7
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Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
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What is my place in the world?
How is the world around us different?
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Why is the River Nile so important?
What are frozen environments and why should we protect them?
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What does a sustainable future look like?
The Almighty dollar - where does our money go?
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Year 8
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Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
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How can ‘factfulness’ help our understanding of Africa?
What is climate change and why should we care? |
Young lives - how do our lives compare to others around the world?
Why are some disasters more deadly than others? |
What is the problem with plastic?
What is a superpower and who rules the world? |
KS4
| Examining Board | Edexcel A |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? |
Geography is a broad based academic subject which will open up options for you in your future. Employers and universities see geography as a robust academic subject rich in skills, knowledge and understanding. As a subject linking the arts and the sciences it is highly flexible in terms of what you can combine it with, both at GCSE and A Level. There are so many ways of learning in geography. It is very practical, with opportunities to learn new skills such as modern computer based mapping (called GIS), map skills, interpreting photographs, fieldwork skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques. You will improve your literacy through your report writing and written work and make practical use of your numeracy skills when you interpret data and construct graphs. |
| Unit 1 |
The Physical Environment You will have an opportunity to explore many physical geographical topics including; The changing landscapes of the UK, Weather hazards and climate change, Coasts, Rivers, Ecosystems, and biodiversity and management. |
| Unit 2 |
The Human Environment You will have an opportunity to explore many human geographical topics including; Changing Cities, Global Development and Resource Management including energy management. |
| Unit 3 |
UK Challenges and Fieldwork This unit will combine some content from Units 1 and 2 with a particular focus on UK Challenges. The unit will also provide you with an opportunity to complete an exam based on fieldwork carried out during the summer field trip |
| Assessment |
Students will have three papers for their final GCSE exam.
Throughout the course, students complete cumulative end of unit tests after each topic and mid-term test during each unit. These will cover all units that have been studied so far. Students will also use Google Forms to complete knowledge and keywords tests through their course.
Students are provided with relevant feedback and are given support and intervention after each test if they are not making progress in line with expectations and predictions. |
| Next steps - Careers/courses |
Cartographer.
Many universities' Geography departments offer a range of joint honours degrees as well as 'Geography and Business' as well as degrees such as 'Environmental Science', 'Oceanography' or 'Water Management'. |
| Suggested links to resources |
https://www.rgs.org/choosegeography/ The Royal Geographical Society has a range of resources about choosing Geography and additional reading around research and the Geographical community. There is also lots of podcasts available. Each podcast features expert commentary with leading academics on geographical subjects, such as Plate Tectonics, Environmental Justice, Australian Wildfires, Sustainability, and loads more.
https://geography-revision.co.uk/notes/ This website gives an overview of content you might study in revision notes
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv3KwaZkZPCPT7Nl6KYnnew The Curious Geographer youtube channel. Ellie interviews a number of Geographers as well as explain key content and processes. |
KS5 Geography
| Course | A-Level Geograpgy |
| Examining Board | Edexcel |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? |
Studying Geography has never been so relevant to global challenges. Geographers are in a unique position to address issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation, poverty and sustainable development in the world.
Students develop a whole range of employability skills including numeracy, teamwork through fieldwork, analytical skills and technical expertise using specialist mapping software (Digimap and ArcGIS). |
| Unit 1 |
Dynamic Landscapes Topics include: tectonic processes and hazards, coastal landscapes and change, the water cycle and water insecurity and the carbon cycle and energy security |
| Unit 2 |
Dynamic Places Topics include: Globalisation, regenerating places, Superpowers and health, human rights and intervention |
| Unit 3 |
Synoptic Links Linking places, attitudes and actions, futures and uncertainties. The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas. |
| Unit 4 |
NEA Independent Investigation Students defines a question or issue for investigation, relating to the compulsory or optional content. The topic may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the specification. The investigation will incorporate fieldwork data and project write up. |
| Assessment AS- |
2 exam papers |
| Assessment A-Level |
2 exam papers Fieldwork investigation coursework |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
HE courses can include Geography, Geology, Water and Energy Management, Cities, Sustainability, Demography, International Development and Human Rights.
Careers post Geography degrees can vary greatly. Jobs directly linked to a Geography degree can include cartographer, commercial/residential surveyor, environmental consultant, GIS officer, planning and development surveyor or town planner. Others may include development or international aid jobs, banking or risk analyst as well as market researcher. |
| Suggested links to resources |
https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/ https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/geography-revision/a-level-edexcel-ial/ |
