Geography
Intent
Our knowledge-rich curriculum will inspire students to understand what it is to be a geographer; they will be able to carry out increasingly complex, independent geographical enquiry, ask their own relevant questions, make sense of geographical data, think critically about different views, and justify their own views in reaching conclusions. Our teaching will ensure students have a holistic understanding and an extensive bank of geographical knowledge and vocabulary, which will be learned and practiced regularly so that students are confident and comfortable using academic language in every context that requires it throughout their education and beyond.
KS3 (Year 7 & 8)
In Year 7 and 8 students will study a variety of topics to introduce them to key geographical skills and ideas.
These can then be built on if students choose to select this topic at GCSE. Students evaluate progress with assessments at regular intervals and enable appropriate and targeted intervention to support learning. Students are encouraged to reflect on their work so that they can improve further.
Below is a guide of what students will be studying over the course of Year 7 and 8.
|
Year 7 |
Introduction to Geography including basic map skills |
Water Cycle and rivers |
Development |
Eco-Systems with a focus on rainforests |
Resources Management (water, food) |
Cities and Landmarks in the UK |
|
Year 8 |
Weather |
Changing Economies |
Tectonics (Earthquakes, volcanoes) |
Africa |
Coasts |
Global warming |
If parents would like to do any extra reading or work around these subjects with their children that would be fantastic. In particular, we find that those students who spend time outdoors, have opportunities to look at maps and see where they are going, and visit landscapes such as the coast or rivers excel in geography as they are able to visualise clearly what we are studying.
Below is a list of websites which we think are pretty good for finding out more about Geography:
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography
www.juicygeography.co.uk/interactivegames
KS4 (Year 9, 10 And 11)
Students will take a 3 year GCSE course with 3 exams to be taken at the end of year 11.
The specification is detailed in the link below:
www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-a-9030
We are following the AQA specification and the topics included are natural hazards, the living world, physical landscapes in the UK, challenges in the human environment and fieldwork and map skills. These topics allow students to study a broad range of geographical topics and fully prepare them for further geographical study.
KS5 (Year 12 And 13)
A-Level Geography started this year and are aim is to grow the subject considerably.
To ensure continuity from GSCE, we follow the AQA specification. More details can be obtained by following the link below:
www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037
The Importance Of Field Trips
Ourdoor learning and experiencing the environment being taught is an integral aspect to geography here at Highcrest.
With that in mind students are offered a huge variety of field trips. The opportunities run throughout the Key stages, including local trips to River Chess, High Wycombe and Slough. Trips further afield to Eastbourne, Wales, Lulworth Cove, Italy and Iceland.