Why study Geography?
Geography is a valuable subject because it tackles the big issues such as:
- environmental responsibility
- our global interdependence
- cultural understanding and tolerance
- commerce, trade and industry.
The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next 50 years than it has ever done before. Geography explains why, and helps to prepare you for those changes. The transferable skills which geography fosters are an asset in the complex world of employment today. Geography is about the future and encourages flexible thinking.
Key Stage 3
At KS3 pupils study the following units as part of their Humanities lessons. Additional learning resources are on Fronter.
Year 7 – My Place in the World
All pupils receive their own OS Maps of the local area and learn how to use them to navigate. These skills are assessed in a ‘map skills challenge’ as we navigate footpaths around the local area. Pupils also consider how Dorking compares to the rest of the UK in terms of quality of life, crime and so forth.
Year 7 – Water World
Pupils consider how the UK’s coastline is changing and discuss whether we should battle against nature to defend the coast or let natural processes such as erosion take their course. We then learn about the factors affecting climate on a local, regional, national and global scale. Pupils conduct fieldwork on the school site to ascertain if the school site has a microclimate and use GIS to analyse the results.
Year 8 – Diverse World
Pupils study two contrasting ecosystems – the East African savannah and the Brazilian rainforest. We assess the threats to these fragile environments. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in a workshop run by experts focused on the threats to a Kenyan community.
Year 8 – Shrinking World
This unit combines topical issues including the ways in which the UK population structure is changing and the consequences of this, globalisation and the rise of China. Pupils use GIS to analyse development data as part of an enquiry into whether China should be considered an MEDC or LEDC.
Year 9 – Dangerous World
Pupils study the causes, effects and management of earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. They use GIS to select the safest place to build a hospital in San Francisco and to manage the eruption of Chances Peak in Montserrat in a timed scenario. Pupils design, make and test their own earthquake proof buildings.
Year 9 – World Issues
This unit is focused on the major global issues that face the planet. Pupils complete a GIS enquiry based around the development divide, and then consider strategies to reduce the divide such as aid and trade through simulations and games. The impact of climate change on Antarctica is studied. Students complete a decision making activity on alternative energy sources such as wind power.
GCSE
Pupils can opt to study full or short course GCSE Geography. We follow the OCR B specification. Pupils are expected to use the additional learning resources on Fronter.
|
Paper |
% |
Content |
|
Terminal exam |
50 |
Coasts & Rivers Population & Settlement* Economic Activity Hazards* |
|
Decision Making Exercise* |
25 |
A decision-making exam set around a current topic. Previous topics have been: "Dam the river – Damn the people?" and "Feast or Famine? Feeding the world’s population". |
|
Controlled assessment |
25 |
Fieldwork Focus: An investigation based on a field trip to the coast to study coastal processes. Geographical Investigation: Issues based enquiry on a choice of topics such as Fashion, Sport, Fair Trade and Tourism. |
The short course does not include elements marked * above.
In the summer of Year 10 pupils conduct fieldwork on coastal processes, landforms and management for their controlled assessment.
Pictured: Y10 GCSE field trip
AS/A2 Level
Why take A Level Geography?
The popularity of our A Level course is continuing to grow. Geography is one of the most relevant academic subjects to the real world. By studying this subject you will improve your understanding of topical and global issues such as: current climate change; overpopulation; management of our depleting resources (e.g. oil); hazards (e.g. volcanoes) and sustainable cities.
Geography is a bridge between the Sciences and Arts. It fits with almost any combination of subject choices. Geography is such a broad subject and develops a large range of skills. Lessons will contain a wide variety of activities and students should expect to contribute to discussions, use ICT, prepare presentations, write essays and do individual research. If you study Geography there is no restriction on degree or career choice after A Levels. In the past Geography students have taken up a wide range of careers such as: journalism; finance; administration and management. Others have gone into more directly related fields such as: meteorology; environmental work; surveying; resource management; civil engineering and town planning.
AS Geography (AQA specification)
Unit 1 - Physical and Human Geography
Rivers, floods and management; cold environments and glaciation; population change; energy issues
Unit 2 - Geographical Skills
This unit is based on two field trips. Students conduct a river study and visit the London Olympics site to consider the regeneration of the area.
A2 Geography
Unit 3 - Contemporary Geographical Issues
Plate tectonics; ecosystems; world cities; development and globalisation.
Unit 4 - Geography Fieldwork Investigation
All A2 geographers spend 4 days at a field studies centre in Devon where we conduct fieldwork on coastal processes and ecosystem succession.
Pictured: A2 students in Devon
A Level geographers are expected to use the additional learning materials on Fronter. In addition to this, A Level geographers have the opportunity to go on a field trip to Iceland to support their studies of tectonic activity, glaciation and rivers.
Pictured: A-level students in Iceland