Geography
Geography
Geography is the scientific study of the world, it explores the physical and human processes of the world and how these interact.
‘Geography serves vital educational goals. Many contemporary challenges – climate change, food security, energy choices – cannot be understood without a geographical perspective. Thinking and decision making with geography helps us to live our lives as knowledgeable citizens, aware of our own local communities in a global setting. Using maps and mediated images of people and place, numerical data and graphical modes of communication, and getting to grips with the geographic information systems (GIS) that underpin our lives, make geographers skilful and employable. At the same time, studying the beauty of Earth and the awesome power of Earth-shaping forces can fascinate, inspire and take us out of ourselves.’ (The Geographical Association).
This course will allow students to continue on to A-Level Geography at Post-16 education.
Programme Of Study
Key Stage 3
Why do we teach Geography?
Geography inspires in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Geography equips pupils with 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. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world will help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.
What would I learn in Geography?
Year 7
Geographical Skills – Mapskils and Numeracy Skills to equip you for the rest of their geographical learning at Starbank.
Our Island Home -This unit of work matches the new GCSE specification and paper 2 which has a focus on the UK’s human and physical features. This unit will develop an understanding of the UK as well as exploring key geographical concepts which impact our daily lives.
Changing Coasts and Rapid Rivers’ – This unit of work has a focus on the UK’s physical features and the geographical processes which have created them.
Year 8
Booming Brazil – This unit links aspects of Paper 1 and paper 3 of the new GCSE specification. We look at the Geography and Economy of an ‘Emerging Country’ and the threats to Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest
How would I learn in Geography?
You will study a varied Geography curriculum which covers human and physical Geography as well as incorporating the skills required to continue the subject at GCSE. Geography offers a wide variety of activities in class and for homework. You will be assessed throughout the year using 9-1 levels (in conjunction with the new GCSE grading system). These assessments are varied in their nature, including essay writing; enquiry-based learning; decision making exercises and end of unit tests.
Key Stage 4
Why do we teach Geography?
The study of geography stimulates an interest about places, people and the environment. It helps young people make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world and how society, the economy and environment combine to bring about change.
At University level, Geography graduates become some of the most sought after graduates by employers due to the holistic overview the subject offers on many of the world’s current issues- at a variety of scales from global to local.
What would I learn in Geography?
GCSE Geography consist of three units consisting of the following components:
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Global Geographical Issues (Paper 1) |
UK Geographical Issues (Paper 2) |
People and Environmental Issues- Making Geographical Decisions (Paper 3) |
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Topic 1: Hazardous Earth |
Topic 4: The UK’s evolving physical landscape |
Topic 7: People and the biosphere |
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Topic 2: Development Dynamics |
Topic 5: The UK’s evolving human landscape |
Topic 8: Forests under threat |
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Topic 3: Challenges of an Urbanising World |
Topic 6: Geographical investigations (one physical and one human fieldwork trip) |
Topic 9: Consuming energy resources |
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Topic 10: Making a geographical decision |
- The GCSE is 100% exam based with three examinations.
- Global Geographical Issues and UK Geographical Issues are both 90 minute examinations worth 94 marks and 37.5% of the qualification respectively.
- People and Environmental Issues- Making Geographical Decisions is a 90 minute exam worth 64 marks and 25% of the qualification.
Two fieldwork trips are compulsory to the teaching of the course.
How would I learn in Geography?
The specification content is framed by geographical enquiry questions that encourage an investigative approach to each of the key ideas. As part of the enquiry process, students are encouraged to use integrated geographical skills, including appropriate mathematics and statistics, in order to explore geographical issues.
All three examinations include multiple-choice questions; short open responses; calculations and extended writing tasks that focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Curriculum
Key Subject Facts
Exam Board:
Edexcel Geography B
Course Makeup:
- Exams 100%
- Coursework 0%
Exam Structure:
- Paper One: Hazardous Earth, Development Dynamics, The Challenges of an Urbanising World
- Paper Two: The UK’s evolving physical landscape, The UK’s evolving human landscape, Geographical investigations
- Paper Three: People and the biosphere, Forests under threat, Consuming energy resources, Making a geographical decision
Staff in Department
Head of Department:
Mrs F Cattell
Useful Website Links:
- Edexcel Geography B Website – https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-b-2016.html – Course outline, resources and past-paper examples.
- GCSE Geography – http://www.gcsegeography.co.uk/home – GCSE Geography Revision Website
- GCSE Geography Guide to Maths for Geographers – https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Geography-A/2016/teaching-and-learning-materials/Edexcel-2016-GCSE-Geography-A-B-Maths-for-Geographers.pdf – Guidance on the maths skills needed for GCSE Geography
- BBC bitesize Geography Edexcel – https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/examspecs/zsytxsg – BBC bitesize page for Edexcel Geography
Recommended Revision Guides:
Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Geography B Revision Guide
Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Geography B Revision Guide
Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Geography B Revision Workbook
Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Geography B Revision Workbook
GCSE Geography Edexcel B: Investigating Geographical Issues - Revision Guide
New Grade 9-1 GCSE Geography Edexcel B: Investigating Geographical Issues – Revision Guide
GCSE Geography Edexcel B: Investigating Geographical Issues - Revision Workbook
New Grade 9-1 GCSE Geography Edexcel B: Investigating Geographical Issues – Revision Workbook
Contact Geography Department
Please use the form bellow to contact the English department or alternatively please email geography@starbank.bham.sch.uk