Geography
Ms C. Martin – Head of Geography
BA Geography (Hons); Schools Direct QTS; Accreditied SSAT Lead Practitioner.
Ms L. Stringer – Teacher of Geography
BSc Geography (Hons); PGCE Geography with QTS
Miss A. Parker– Teacher of Geography
BSc Geography (Hons), PGCE with QTS
Michael Palin's quote ‘Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future’ couldn’t be more true today.
At Ellen Wilkinson we aim to get students exploring the world they live in by covering a range of topics and linking these to everyday life, current affairs, scientific and geographical theory. Geography is a compulsory subject at key stage 3 and is an optional EBacc subject for GCSE. We also offer A level geography.
Curriculum
KS3
During KS3, students will cover a broad range of topics according to the National Curriculum.
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Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
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Year 7 |
Fantastic Places (an introduction to Geography) including a Russia and China country study. Map skills. |
Population – including China and UK country studies. Wild weather |
Our fragile planet Micro-climate enquiry |
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Year 8 |
Why isn't the world equal? Our restless Earth - Earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. |
Is Globalisation a good thing?
Water on the land - coasts |
Water on the land - rivers
Africa is not a country! |
Activities to do at home
Take a look at the BBC KS3 Bitesize web site to get an idea about some of the topics you will be studying when you join us:
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/geography
Always check news websites to find out about latest natural disasters and weather events, as well as interesting geographical stories on migration and globalisation.
http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/
KS4
Key stage 4 students will be sitting the AQA Geography specification (8035) for GCSE.
Please visit AQA’s website for more information www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse
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Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
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Year 9 |
Physical landscapes in the UK (coasts and rivers of the UK – how they are formed and managed. We also study several case studies and named examples). |
Physical landscapes in the UK.
Urban issues and challenges (social, economic and environmental challenges and opportunities in cities in the UK as well as those in LICs and NEEs). |
Urban issues and challenges. |
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Year 10 |
The Challenge of Natural Hazards (in depth study of tectonic hazards and the impacts surrounding these, as well as the hazards created by climate change). |
The Changing Economic World (looking at the differing levels of development in HICs, NEEs and LICs and how differences in wealth can affect people’s lives). |
Fieldwork enquiry – one human geography element and one physical human geography element. |
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Year 11 |
The Living World (ecosystems, tropical rainforests and hot desert systems). Resource management (including a unit on water deficits around the world and how people are trying to combat that). |
Issue Evaluation (based on a pre-release booklet from AQA – could be related to any part of the specification). |
Revision. |
Activities to do at home
Keep abreast of current affairs and geographical issues by reading newspapers and visiting news websites. Watch documentaries (ask your teachers for advice and recommendations). Read non-fiction books related to the subject (again, ask for recommendations). Research detailed case studies and examples.
Visit the following website to help extend your knowledge:
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/examspecs/zy3ptyc (AQA specific)
https://www.internetgeography.net/aqa-gcse-geography/
All key stage 4 students will have access to Kerboodle (an online version of the GCSE textbook) so that they can study and revise at home.
KS5
At key stage 5 we follow the AQA Geography A-level specification (7037). The course covers an equal amount of physical and human geography units in order for students to gain a balanced perspective of the world around us. More information about the course can be found at: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037
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Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
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Year 12 |
Water and Carbon Cycles
Changing Places |
Water and Carbon
Population and environment |
Hazards (tectonic, weather and wildfire hazards). NEA (students will start to plan their independent investigation). |
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Year 13 |
Coastal systems and landscapes Global systems and governance Completing NEA (independent investigation).
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Coastal systems and landscapes
Global systems and governance
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Revision
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Activities to do at home
Keep abreast of current affairs and geographical issues by reading newspapers and visiting news websites. Watch documentaries (ask your teachers for advice and recommendations). Read non-fiction books related to the subject (again, ask for recommendations). Research detailed case studies and examples.
Enrichment Activities and Trips
Fieldwork is a vital part of Geography and every key stage has the opportunity to hone vital geographical skills through fieldwork enquiries.
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KS3: Microclimate enquiry |
KS3: ‘The Geog Squad’ – a club where year 7 and 8 students can have fun and learn about what’s happening in the world around them. |
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KS4: Physical and human fieldwork day (e.g. day trip to study the River Chess and the town of Chesham). |
KS4: Drop In Club where Year 11 students can come and ask for help with work and revision. David Attenborough documentary club. |
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KS5: Four days of fieldwork outside of the classroom |
KS5: One day study skills conference. |
Career Paths
Geography is a subject that opens many career paths for you. Below are a few examples:
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Cartographer |
Geologist |
Oceanographer |
Town Planner |
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Weather forecaster |
Foreign/travel correspondent |
Navigator |
Pilot |
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Travel Agent |
Zoologist |
Civil Engineer |
Air Traffic Controller |
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Countryside Ranger |
Hydrologic Surveyor |
Landscape Architect |
Land Surveyor |
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Geography Teacher |
Environmental Health Officer |
Airline Cabin Crew |
Archaeologist |