Geography
Geography: “Exploring the world. Creating a sustainable future.”
Staff
Mrs L. Butcher
Miss L. Goodall
Mr P. Hickling (Curriculum Leader)
Mr T. Morris
Miss E.Sellers (Curriculum Leader for Key Stage Three)
Contact details: hicklingp@fulford.york.sch.uk
Key stage 3
At Key Stage 3 students will cover a variety of human and physical geography topics that will be investigated through using different styles of learning. Students will explore up to date issues that are relevant and meaningful for them using their own “personal geographies” as a starting point. Lessons are centred around the wider School objectives of developing Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS), for example being a creative thinker, an independent learner, an effective team worker. Students will have the opportunity to use ICT to research, process and present information.
In Year 7 students will cover the topics of:
Our place in the world – local to global
Geography and survival
Settlements
Shops survey in Fulford
Development issues in Africa
In Year 8 students will cover the topics of:
Hazardous Earth? - earthquakes and volcanoes
Hazardous cities? - Urbanisation
Development issues in India
Coasts (with a fieldtrip to Flamborough Head)
In Year 9 students will cover the topics of:
Rainforests
Deserts
Antarctica
Climate change and sustainability
Key Stage 4
Students will study the AQA syllabus B course. This is an issue based course that builds upon the topics that form the Key Stage 3 course. Students will complete four units over the two years.
Year 10
Unit 1: Hostile World
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Tropical storms
Wildfires
Unit 2: The Urban Environment
Urban growth
Urbanisation in developing countries
Urban issues in developed countries
Sustainable urban living
Year 11
Unit 3: Global tourism
Growth of tourism
Challenges of tourism
Benefits of tourism
Managing tourism sustainably
Unit4: Controlled assignments
Two controlled assignments are completed. In the summer term in Year 10 students complete the Issue Evaluation, where they carry out research and write a report about an issue relating to either Water or Energy. This is completed in 8 hours of “controlled conditions” during lesson time and is worth 10% of the final GCSE grade.
The second controlled assignment involves fieldwork. Students have the opportunity to go on a three day residential course to Overstrand Hall in Norfolk to collect some information about tourism or coasts. They will then write up a report about their fieldwork during 12 hours of “controlled conditions”. This is worth 15% of the final GCSE grade. During the fieldtrip to Overstrand Hall, the students also have the opportunity to experience some outdoor activities.
Students will take a written examination covering units 1, 2 and 3 at the end of the Year 11 course.
Key Stage 5
Students will study the AQA course. This will build upon the knowledge and skills developed at GCSE level. Students will have one Physical Geography teacher who will teach about natural processes and one Human Geography teacher who will teach and social, political and economic processes.
In Year 12 the students will complete two AS units. Both are assessed through an examination paper which is taken at the end of the Year 12 course.
Unit 1: Physical and Human Geography
Physical Geography – River processes and coastal processes
Human Geography – Global population change and Food supply issues
Unit 2: Applied Geography
This assesses the students’ geographical skills, for example interpreting photos, maps, graphs and writing about the fieldwork that they have carried out.
Students have the opportunity to go on a three day residential visit to the Cranedale Centre in the Yorkshire Wolds. Here they will complete fieldwork about river processes, coastal features and food supply issues on a farm. There also may be the opportunity to complete local fieldwork about other local geographical issues during lesson time.
In Year 13 the students will complete the two A2 units. Both are assessed through an examination paper which is taken at the end of the Year 13 course.
Unit 3: Contemporary Geographical Issues
Physical Geography – Natural Hazards and Weather & Climate
Human Geography – World Cities and Development & Globalisation
Unit 4: Issue Evaluation
In the spring of Year 13 students will be given an Advanced Information Booklet (AIB) about a geographical issue that is linked to the syllabus. They will study this in lessons and at home where they should complete wider research. They will then have an examination which will assess their knowledge, understanding and skills regarding the issue.