Subject: Geography
Head of Subject: Mrs K Fairclough
Vision
Geography enables our students to explain their place in our world, to know how it has been shaped and why it continues to change. It helps them understand their role in living in and looking after our world.
Intent
Our geography curriculum is designed to develop student curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them throughout their lives. Learners will investigate a range of places, both in Britain and abroad to help develop knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes. We aim to give our learners strong geographical knowledge, good enquiry skills, the ability to use a range of maps, the skills to collect and analyse data and the ability to communicate information in a variety of ways. We would like our students to have a love of geographical learning, gaining knowledge and skills through high quality teaching both inside and outside the classroom. As the future generation responsible for our planet, we would like students to have a sense of respect for the world.
Learning Journey
Curriculum Description
In Years 7, 8 and 9 students are taught in mixed ability classes. Students are taught Geography 1 hour a week in Year 7 and 2 hours a week in Years 8 and 9. Assessments are completed once a term to track and monitor the progress. Each half term students will complete diagnostic tasks and receive feedback from their teacher on how to move forward.
Students that opt for GCSE Geography at KS3 receive 3 hours in Y10 and 2 hours in Y11.
Year 10 and subsequent GCSE cohorts will be following the AQA GCSE GEOGRAPHY syllabus.
Throughout their time at Hawkley Hall, students are taught the following key skills:
- Demonstrate knowledge of locations, places, processes, environments and different scales. Demonstrate geographical understanding of concepts and how they are used in relation to places, environments and processes, and the inter-relationships between places, environments and processes.
- Apply knowledge and understanding to interpret, analyse and evaluate geographical information and issues and to make judgements.
- Select, adapt and use a variety of skills and techniques to investigate questions and issues and communicate findings.
The topics students cover throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 are outlined in the table below:
| Year | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| 7 | Where is my place in the World? | Geographical skills | Tourism adventures | Tourism enquiry | Extraordinary earth | Extraordinary earth |
| 8 | Our amazing Island | Population | Water works | Europe | Antarctica and climate change | Global biomes |
| 9 | Asia | Tropical rainforests | Plate tectonics | Resources | Africa | Weather hazards |
| 10 | Tectonics
hazards |
Climatic hazards | Climate change and Urban issues in the UK | Urban issues in Mumbai | Coasts | Living world and fieldwork |
| 11 | Economic geography | Economic geography | Rivers | Resources and pre-release | Revision |
GCSE Exam Board Specifications
The specification code for GCSE Geography is 8035 Geography AQA. Click here for the link to the AQA specification.
GCSE Geography is assessed by 3 papers; paper 1 physical geography, paper 2 human geography and paper 3 pre-release and fieldwork.
Students are expected to learn about a variety of places both here in the UK and further afield including Mumbai, India.
Additional Information
KS3 students have the opportunity to take part in Geography trips and fieldwork.
Homework support is available for all Geography students.
At KS4, students will take part in two fieldwork activity days, to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge which will need to be applied in the exam.
In Y11, students have the opportunity to attend regular revision classes and they receive intervention before their examinations.
The department runs the school’s Geo explorers club and all students are welcome to join the club..
All GCSE Geography Students have access to the Microsoft teams Geography Team which is full of revision resources.