Geography
Overview of Department
As Michael Palin stated, “Without Geography – you are nowhere!” Knowing where we are, and how we fit into this world, helps us to see how we can progress globally into a new transnational world
Our high-quality geography education inspires in pupils a curiosity and fascination around the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Curriculum Statement: Values and Aims
At Key Stage Three, students develop the key skills of a geographer: from map work to location finding before moving through a series of Human and Physical geography units. Students will explore the world around them, both through local geographical examples and by studies of other countries from every continent. Within the course, students’ debating and decision-making skills are tested, so that topical events can be explored and discussed from a range of angles. All the topics and skills learned feed into the GCSE course framework, so that students have already created the foundations of skills and knowledge needed to excel in their upper school courses.
Lessons are tailored to all levels and styles of learning, to ensure that all can access and enjoy the lessons, whilst challenging students to develop independent thinking skills which benefit them across the curriculum. “Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future…Geography prepares for the world of work – geographers, with their skills of analysis are highly employable.”
GCSE Geography
Geography helps you to make sense of the world around you. It is hands on, it is relevant, and it is fun. GCSE Geography enables students to build on their key stage 3 knowledge and skill. Students will gain a more in depth understanding of topics such as urban issues, world development, extreme environments, rivers and hazards – to name but a few. The course will give you the chance to get to grips with some of the big questions that affect our world, and understand the social, economic and physical forces and processes which shape and change our world. Students will also develop and extend their competence in a range of skills including those used in fieldwork and be able to apply their geographical knowledge.
The GCSE is examined over 3 papers:
| Paper 1 – Living with the Physical Environment | Paper 2 – Challenges in the Human Environment | Paper 3 – Geographical Applications |
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This exam is 90 minutes long and examines you on your knowledge and understanding of 3 areas:
The exam consists of a mixture of short answer, multiple choice and some extended writing. |
This exam is 90 minutes long and examines you on your knowledge and understanding of 3 areas:
The exam consists of a mixture of short-answer, multiple choice and some extended writing. |
This exam is 75 minutes long and examines you on your evaluation and fieldwork skills.
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Progression Routes
Geography is a subject that is highly respected by employers. Geography graduates have one of the highest rates of graduate employment, pursuing a wide range of career paths. It is often said that there is no such thing as a geography job; rather there are multiple jobs that geographers do.
Some examples of potential careers are working with Non-Governmental Organisations, town planning, geospatial analysts, technology consultants, education, hydrologist, flood risk management, coastal risk management, Wildlife trust, climate change consultant, environment consultant and many, many more.
Key Documents
Our Geography Learning Journey