Geography

The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next 50 years than it has ever done before and our role in that change is more important than ever. Geography, we believe, explains these changes and helps to prepare people. It is a subject about now and the future.

Within the Geography department at CRGS we aim to deliver diverse and dynamic courses at all key stages to prepare to help our students understand the world they live in. We aim to produce Geographers who have a unique viewpoint and are able to combine political and economic ideas with an understanding of the physical processes within the landscape. We believe Geography develops the ability to combine scientific principles with economic awareness, environmental concern and an appreciation and tolerance of peoples’ attitudes and values.

Most teaching is carried out in two centrally-located specialist-rooms, both of which are equipped with digital projectors, smart boards plus extensive display boards. The main geography room has 16 networked computers which students are free to use for their studies at lunch and after school.

 

Department Team

Mr J. Longshaw - Head of Department
Mr D. Gibson - Teacher of Geography
Mr C. Reed - Teacher of Geography

 

Curriculum at a glance

Key Stage 3

In Years 7 to 9 we aim to introduce a wide range of topics which come under the umbrella of Physical and Human Geography whilst also developing a wide range of more practical ICT, Graphical, Cartographical and field work skills.

Year 7

The following units of work are covered; What is a Geographer? Geographical Enquiry Skills, Introduction to Physical Geography, Introduction to Human Geography, Tectonics, Geography of Russia

Year 8

The following units of work are covered; Development issues, Urbanisation in slums,
Africa – Challenges and changes, Glaciation, Climate Change, Arctic/ Antarctica

Year 9

The following units of work are covered; Population and Migration, Future Geographies, The Living World -Ecosystems, Rainforests and Deserts, The UK Physical Landscapes

 

Key Stage 4

GCSE Geography

AQA: Subject Code 8035

The Geography GCSE syllabus is designed to encourage the development of a wide range of skills to further knowledge and understanding of modern Geography.

Students will cover the following areas:

Physical Geography

The challenge of natural hazards, physical landscapes of the UK (how weathering, rivers, ice and sea affect the land and man’s activities) and the living world will be studied.

Human Geography

Urban issues and challenges, the changing economic world and the challenge of resource management will be covered.

Geography will enable students to acquire skills of: understanding, reading and interpreting digital maps; interpreting photographs, including satellite images; drawing maps, diagrams, graphs and tables; collecting, analysing, presenting and interpreting various types of data; including, as a compulsory element, the use of ICT-based techniques.

Work will involve reading, writing, drawing, modelling, using contemporary case studies, DVDs and class discussions. Within the course two days of fieldwork will be completed to prepare for the Geographical application paper.

Exams consist of:

Unit 1: Physical Geography 1 hour 30 minutes 35% of the marks available

Unit 2: Human Geography 1 hour 30 minutes 35% of the marks available

Unit 3: Geographical Application 1 hour 30% of the marks available

Geography actively promotes an awareness of the environment, both natural and manmade, and it develops an appreciation of the need for informed and balanced decision making in its management. It includes important skills such as the collection, processing, interpretation and presentation of information and its development of graphic and communication skills are important in a wide array of modern careers. There is an excellent link on the Royal Geographical Society website that expands on this.

Many of our students have gone on to use Geography in specific careers such as cartography, GIS, surveying and the civil service for example whilst an increasing number use their degree as a pathway onto graduate management training schemes or transfer their skills to areas such as finance, banking and law.

 

Key Stage 5

A level AQA Geography

Year 12

Three units of work are studied (four hours of lessons per week): ‘Water and Carbon Cycles’, which focuses on the main stores of water and carbon on the Earth’s surface, and the cycles related to them. These cycles are fundamental to studying physical geography; ‘Hazards’, which covers the impact of hazards such as volcanoes, storms, seismic hazards (for example tsunamis and earthquakes), fires, and plate tectonics. Awareness of how these hazards are connected is part of the course, alongside being able to discuss human adaptations to these hazards; and ‘Changing Places’, a human geography unit which explores how humans perceive and interact with their environment. This unit involves investigating two contrasting places - one local and another distant.

Lower Sixth Form students will also complete a four-day field study and start writing a Geographical investigation (3,000 – 4,000 words) which is submitted as part of the A level assessment.

Year 13

Three units of work studied (five hours of lessons per week): ‘Global Systems and Governance’ investigates the hallmarks of globalisation, such as the systems and technologies which support it, as well as the interactions between different peoples and states; ‘Population and the Environment’ explores the connections between population numbers and the physical environment, as well as how this latter affects the population in terms of health and economic development; and finally ‘Coastal Systems and landscapes’ encourages students to appreciate coastlines as a dynamic system alongside understanding how these landscapes develop.

A level examination

The course is linear and therefore the exams and coursework are sat/submitted at the end of the two years.

Component 1: Physical Geography

• 2 hours 30 minutes
• 96 marks
• 40% of A Level

Component 2: Human

• 2 hours 30 minutes
• 96 marks
• 40% of A Level

Component 3: Geographical Investigation

• 3,000 - 4,000 words
• 35 marks
• 20% of A Level

 

Enrichment and Support

In Year 12 there is a fieldtrip to prepare students for the Geographical enquiry component (20%).