Geography
KS3 (Years 7 to 9)
The topics we cover throughout the KS3 Geography course allow students the opportunity to learn about a large range of global issues, environmental processes, and amazing facts. They will be taught a variety of geographical skills which could be useful for life beyond school. As well as this, the students will be taught how to use information and evidence from figures and explore a range of current world affairs, global issues, inequalities and injustices, and how to tackle them. Lastly, they will gain an insight to the natural world and the processes that govern it.
Programme of study Y7
Where in the world? – This topic enables students to enhance their locational knowledge and cartographical skills as we learn the location of continents, oceans, mountain ranges and major countries around the world. This is followed by a closer look into the physical and human aspects of Europe.
Living World – The students will explore the interactions between living and non-living worlds in a range of ecosystems. The topic begins with an introduction into general concepts and ideas before delving into the climate, environments, as well as animal and plant adaptations in tropical rainforests and cold environments.
Gibraltar – The students will learn about their homeland and explore various aspects of Gibraltar’s physical geography and cultural heritage.
Programme of study Y8
Population and Urbanisation – This topic introduces students to key concepts and ideas of human geography. In this topic, we look into global population change, as well as causes and impacts of population change in countries of varying wealth. Subsequently, we progress into urbanisation where we delve into regeneration schemes, slums and sustainability.
Coasts – Here students will learn about the natural processes that shape coastlines around the world, explore the various coastal land-uses, and associated coastal management strategies. The students will apply the theory learnt in the classroom in a field trip to a beach in Gibraltar.
Environment and Sustainability – Students will explore the various ways humans have affected the environment, ranging from plastic oceans, food and water insecurity, as well as climate change. We will be looking into how we can address and manage these challenges and create a sustainable future.
Programme of study Y9
Tectonics – Students explore why earthquakes and volcanoes happen, what their effects are, and how to respond to these hazards, using real world examples.
Atmospheric Hazards – This topic allows students to dive into the hazards associated with the atmosphere as we cover tropical storms and tornadoes, looking into where we find them, the reasons for their formation, their impacts and the various ways we can respond to them in order to reduce their effects.
Crime: GIS – Where geography and technology combine! Through the world of crime, the students will be introduced to a growing global skill that many industries are. This topic will allow students to analyse and present crime data in order to display patterns and enhance their decision-making skills.
Assessment
Students will have a summative assessment after every topic covered, ranging from presentations to end of topic exams. Having said that, the students will have other opportunities to display their knowledge and skills through various formative assessments during lessons.
KS4 (Years 10 & 11)
Award: GCSE
Awarding Body: AQA
Specification Code: 8035
Specification Website: AQA GCSE Geography
This course leads to an A-Level.
Physical and human geography, and the link between them is explored in this exciting and relevant course. Students will learn about case studies in high income countries, such as, the United Kingdom, as well as, in low income and newly emerging economies. A range of topics are covered, and students are also encouraged to recognise their role in society, taking into account different perspectives, values and attitudes.
Year 10
Content covered:
The challenge of natural hazards
Urban issues and challenges
Physical landscapes in the UK
Physical geography fieldwork
Geographical skills (ongoing).
Year 11
Content covered:
The changing economic world
Human geography fieldwork
The living world
The challenge of resource management
Geographical skills (ongoing).
Assessments
Internal:
End of topic examinations
Year 10 Examination
Year 11 Mock Examination.
External:
Paper 1: Living with the physical environment
(1 hour 30 minutes; 35% of GCSE)
Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment
(1 hour 30 minutes; 35% of GCSE)
Paper 3: Geographical applications
(1 hour 15 minutes; 30% of GCSE).
KS5 (Years 12 & 13)
Award: A-Level
Awarding Body: AQA
Specification Code: 7037
Specification Website: AQA A-Level Geography
Institution: Bayside/Westside
Modern geography is about the relationship between human populations to each and the Earth’s surface over time. It is also about the relationship between the human and physical environment at local and global level. Geography offers students the chance to consider their roles, values and attitudes in relation to the themes and issues studied.
Other Information:
There is also a compulsory fieldtrip for a week to UK in Year 12. This is paid for by Department of Education. Students need to have a full passport.
Subject Content
Component 1: Physical Geography
Section A: Water and Carbon Cycles
Section B: Coastal systems and landscape
Section C: Hazards
Component 2: Human Geography
Section A: Global systems and governance
Section B: Changing Places
Section C: Population and the environment
Component 3: Geographical Investigation
Students complete an individual investigation, which must include data collected in the field.
The investigation will be on an issue defined and developed by the student based on any part of the specification.
Assessment
Component 1: Physical Geography
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
120 marks
40% of A-level
Component 2: Human Geography
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
120 marks
40% of A-level
Component 3: Geographical Investigation
3,000–4,000 words
60 marks
20% of A-level
marked by teachers
moderated by AQA
