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“Geography is a living, breathing subject, constantly adapting itself to change. It is dynamic and relevant”

Michael Palin

Introduction:

In the Geography Department we aim to give students the skills to explore and participate in their

Morocco Trip

world. We want to challenge students, and develop their abilities to investigate and to question the world around them. Our curriculum seeks to inspire and engage students, and to promote a love of learning and ability to enquire and analyse the interactions between people and the Earth. Our vision is that students will grow as independent learners with a geographical toolkit that will ensure they are inquisitive, literate, technologically astute, numeracy confident, and active global citizens.

Year 9 Geography: 

In Year 9 we are constantly developing our curriculum to make it dynamic and relevant to the students we teach. We investigate many diverse topics in order to inspire and engage students with the world at their doorstep and internationally. Students will follow an enquiry based curriculum that aims to develop a range of skills including map skills, field work, investigative and critical literacy, collaboration, independence and data analysis.

Year 9 includes topics such as China, Hazards, Russia and India

GCSE Year 10 and 11 Geography: 

We follow the AQA GCSE exam specification. This exciting course is focuses on the balance between the physical and human world’s. It allows students to investigate the link between the two themes, and approach and examine the battles between the man-made and natural worlds.

Living with the physical environment involves studying the following topics;

  • The challenges of natural hazards,
  • The living world and
  • The physical landscapes of the UK.

The challenges in the human environment involves studying the following topics;

  • Urban Issues and challenges,
  • The changing economic world and
  • The challenge of resource management.

An important part of Geography is the range of skills you develop. These are developed in the Geographical applications section and involve you studying;

  • Issues evaluation,
  • Fieldwork and
  • Geographical skills.

This specification offers

  • a stimulating and imaginative issue-based approach to Geography
  • an insight into future challenges through the study of current issues of local, national and global importance
  • an awareness of human’s responsibilities to other people, the environment and the sustainability of the planet.

The GCSE is assessed via three terminal exams worth 100% and is summarised in the table below.

 

A-Level Year 12 and 13 Geography: 

Geography A-level at Thomas Alleyne’s follows the EDEXCEL exam specification. This specification leads an engaging and contemporary issues-based approach to geography. This specification for the discipline of geography encourages students to gain enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement as they develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject. This A Level course will enable students to be inspired by their geographical understanding, to engage critically with real world issues and places, and to apply their geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them. Students will grow as independent thinkers and as informed and engaged citizens, who understand the role and importance of geography as one of the key disciplines relevant to understanding the world’s changing peoples, places and environments.

The A-level course consist of three examinations, two which follow the ‘traditional’ style of geography papers.

Paper 1: Physical Geography (30%)

  • Tectonic Processes and Hazards
  • Coastal landscapes and change
  • The water cycle and water insecurity
  • The carbon cycle and energy insecurity

Paper 2: Human Geography (30%)

  • Globalisation
  • Regenerating places
  • Superpowers
  • Health, Human rights and intervention

EDXECEL A-level also includes a third exam paper which is based around synoptic themes and issue evaluation of the core content from papers one and two. This paper is worth 20% of the A-level.

Finally, the specification also includes a non-examine assessment (20%), this is where an independent, individual investigation in conducted based on any aspect of the A-level course. This allows for the student to delve deeper into an aspect of enjoyment of the course and create their own independent investigation.

Department Members

Mrs H Carpenter: Head of Geography

Mr H Bainbridge: Teacher of Geography

Miss R Horobin: Teacher of Geography