Shelley College: Geography

Head of Department: Mr C Campbell

Geography is the study of the Earth, its people and the interaction between them. In GCSE Geography we study a range of physical, environmental and human topics including Population, Tectonics and Glaciations.

Key Stage 3:
Year 9 students study a number of different topics which include a range of physical, human and environmental geography. Year 9 begins with a module on the Geographyof Crime which examines where and why crime takes place and how the Police use geography to solve crime. Students then go on to study Coastal Environments where they examine how the coastline is constantly changing and being used by humans and also how some of Britain’s best loved coastal features are formed.

Development is the third topic and this looks at how wealth is spread across the Earth, why Britain is a developed country and what can be done to help less developed countries. The year finishes with a unit on Weather and Climate which involves the study of the British climate and how common weather and climatic features like rainfall, depressions and hurricanes form.

Assessment
Students work on assignments throughout the year, which along with some pieces of homework, are assessed in line with National Curriculum attainment levels. Each unit of work has an assessment, for example, the Geography of Crime assessment involves applying the concepts learned to help reduce the risk of crime in an area. Other work that is assessed includes ICT presentations and extended writing. Homework is set fortnightly.

How parents can help
Geography requires good literacy, numeracy and presentational skills. As a subject that is in the news regularly, an interest in the media and wider events can be an advantage. Parents can help by encouraging students to take an interest in global and local events of relevance and by checking homework and progress throughout the year.

Useful websites
www.learnontheinternet.co.uk
www.samlearning.co.uk

Key Stage 4
Examination Board: AQA Syllabus ‘A’
In the two GCSE years, six units will be studied. Three of these will be physical geography topics and these are:

The Restless Earth
This includes the study of earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami and supervolcanoes.
Water on the Land
This involves studying the processes that form some of the best known features of a river like waterfalls but also the impacts of the increasing risk of floods and the consequences for people.
Ice on the Land
In this unit, we study the formation of a number of glaciated features and apply this knowledge to specific areas like the Alps where there are also conflicts with tourists and hazards like avalanches.

In addition, we will study three human geography topics, which are:

Tourism
Themes studied in this unit include the meaning of tourism and the different types and also the growing demand for sustainable tourism and ecotourism.
Population Change
This unit includes studying the ways in which populations change over time, the impacts of migration and the challenges of an ageing population.
Changing Urban Environments
This topic includes the study of how cities have changed over time, shanty towns and squatter settlements and the redevelopment of city centres in the last decade.

Assessment
The subject is assessed via 2 exam papers:
Paper 1: Physical Geography
Paper 2: Human Geography
The two exam papers make up 75% of the overall marks for the course.

AS and A Level
Examination Board: AQA.
Course Content: AS Level.
Physical Topics: Cold Environments Rivers, Floods and Management.
Human Topics: Food Supply Issues and Population Change.
Unit 1: Physical and Human Geography Core
2 hours (70% of ‘AS’ marks and 35% of the total ‘A’-level marks).
Unit 2: Geographical Skills
1 hour (30% of ‘AS’ marks and 15% of the total ‘A’ level marks.

A2 Level
Weather and climate and associated hazards:

Structure of the atmosphere
British climate
Monsoon climate
Tropical revolving storms
Urban micro-climates and pollution
Global climate change

Plate tectonics and associated hazards

Structure of the Earth
Location of volcanic hazards
Earthquakes and their effects
Other associated hazards like tsunami
The human response

 Contemporary conflicts and challenges

The geographical basis of conflicts
Conflict over local resources
The impact of international conflict
Multicultural societies in the UK
Seperatism
The challenge of global poverty

Unit 3: Geog3. Contemporary Geographical Issues
2.5 hours (30% of the total ‘A’ level marks)
Unit 4A: Geography Fieldwork Investigation
1.5 hours (20% of the total ‘A’ level marks)

The new specification allows for specialisation and progression to higher education and employment. There is a more natural progression from GCSE to GCE. Students will be given opportunities to develop fieldwork skills and study geographical issues and impacts. Fieldwork is compulsory and will include day trips or a residential trip to a UK location. Previous destinations have been North Wales, Norfolk, The Yorkshire Dales and The Lake District. Fieldwork will be used to generate ideas and collect primary data which will prepare students for Units 2 and 4Aa

The new specification balances traditional geography with contemporary and engaging geographical subject content. Key themes are management of change and sustainability. It encourages students to reflect on why they think the way they do about an issue, as well as how others think, skills that are vital for citizens in the 21st century.

Entry Qualifications:
Students need at least a grade C in GCSE Geography. However, due to the difficulty of the course, a grade B or above is more desirable.