Geography

What topics will my child study in year 7 and 8?

In year 7 students acquire the basic skills in geography including map skills and a range of geographical issues to enable them to understand their place in the world and the issues it faces. They will also be given the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in a local setting.

Topic 1 – Physical and human Geography of the UK

Topic 2 – Why is there a development gap?

Topic 3 – The importance of rivers

Topic 4 – How do I conduct a weather enquiry?

Topic 5- What’s the future of our planet?

In year 8 geographical skills are enhanced in year 8 and enriched through fieldwork opportunities outside the school context.

Topic 1 – How do we use our planet?

Topic 2 – Why are earthquakes and volcanoes so dangerous?

Topic 3 – What makes an environment extreme?

Topic 4 – How is the world interconnected?

Topic 5- Why are coastlines at risk?

Topic 6- Who runs the world?

What topics will my child study in year 9, 10 and 11?

Students follow the AQA GCSE geography specification (course code 8035).

Details of this specification can be found at: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/specification-at-a-glance

The course consists of three components – Living with physical environments (includes hazards, coasts and rivers), Challenges in the human environment (includes urbanisation, development and resource management) and Geographical applications (includes fieldwork)

Do you have a reading list for this subject?

GCSE Geography AQA Student Book (GCSE Geography AQA 2016)

GCSE 9-1 Geography Aqa Complete Revision & Practice

AQA GCSE (9-1) Geography- student book

GCSE 9-1 Geography AQA Revision Guide

How can I help my child to excel in this subject?

In addition to discussing learning with your child and monitoring their homework, ensuring your child watches a regular news programme, or keeps abreast of the latest news events via a reputable news app.

Taking your child to interesting geographical places, be it a mountain, the coast or a natural history museum, will provide them with the broader knowledge they need to access the curriculum.

Are there any online resources?

http://www.bbcbitesize.co.uk/geography

https://www.internetgeography.net/aqa-gcse-geography/

https://www.tutor2u.net/geography/collections/quick-revise-aqa-gcse-geography-revisio n-blast-videos

http://archive.nationalgeographic.com/

Do you offer any interventions or clubs my child can attend?

The department offers a weekly club for all students whereby students investigate a number of geographical regions.

Year 10 MAS reading accelerated learning group.

Year 11 Intervention to maximise examination performance.

Year 11 morning lectures for more able students every tuesday

All students in years 8-10 attend at least one field visit during the course of the academic year.

Some students are encouraged to attend residential visits.

Are there any important dates for me to be aware of in your subject?

Advanced notification will be given for field visits.

Information will be provided of dates for interim assessments, internal and external examinations.

How will my child be assessed at the end of the course?

At the end of their GCSEs, there are three exams

Component 1: Living with physical environments, written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes: 35% of the qualification.

Component 2: Challenges in the human environment, written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes: 35% of the qualification.

Component 3: Geographical applications, written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes 30% of the qualification.