Eaton Bank Academy

Geography

Key Stage 3

The aims of the Geography Department at Key Stage 3 are:

  • To help our students make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world.
  • To build on students’ own experiences and investigate places at all scales, from the personal to the global.
  • To encourage questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, now and in the future.
  • To encourage students to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.

At Key Stage 3 we will study:-

Year 7
My Place – a study of the physical and human characteristics of Congleton with a strong focus on map skills.

Coastal  and River Landscapes – focusing on evidence of patterns/ processes visible in the UK and management of fragile areas.

Resources – enquiry based learning leading students through an investigation into the development of a wind farm in the UK. Including a decision making exercise.

 

Year 8
The Active Earth – an investigation into tectonic processes based on a wide range of case studies.

Fair Trade – an introduction to development and global trade.

Weather & Climate – a study based on interpreting UK and European weather patterns.

 

The study of Geography will allow students to develop their:

  • Understanding of the physical and human characteristics of places.
  • Appreciation of how people’s values and attitudes differ and may influence social, environmental, economic and political issues.
  • Geographical skills as they learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies to obtain, present and analyse information.

Key Stage 3 Assessment

All students will be given a target level to work towards achieving by the end of the Key Stage. Levels of attainment will be reviewed each term and improvement steps identified by the classroom teacher. Students will be assessed during and at the end of each module.

 

Home Learning

How parents can help to support their son’s/daughter’s learning:

  • Regular checking of homework.
  • Asking questions about your child’s learning, at the end of each day.
  • Encouraging your child to take a regular interest in topical events and news reports.

Students will be set a mix of short homeworks to be completed over a week or two weeks in some half-terms and occasionally an extended project to last over a whole half-term in some topic areas. The homeworks will be a combination of levelled projects, research work, consolidation tasks and more practical tasks in some units.

 

If you have any queries, please contact Mrs A Wright a.wright@eatonbank.org

Key Stage 4

Geography is the key to our future! This subject forms part of the English Baccalaureate.

There has never been a better or more important time to study geography. With growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental damage and social change, geography is one of the most relevant courses you could choose to study. Whatever your passion for the world -fascination with landscapes or concerns about how people are treated – geography will provide you with knowledge and transferable skills that you will enjoy studying and can help you achieve your goals.

Our students enjoy studying topical issues and debating global events. Decision making is at the core of what we do, so this is a course that can be shaped by your own passions and beliefs!

Topics studied:

LIVING WITH THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

            The Challenge of Natural Hazards
            Tectonic Hazards, Tropical Storms, Extreme weather UK and Climate Change

            Physical Landscapes in the UK
            UK Physical Landscape, Coastal Landscapes, River Landscapes.

            The Living World
            Ecosystems, Tropical Rainforests and Cold Environments 

CHALLENGES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 

            Urban Issues and Challenges
            Urban Growth, Urban Change, Urban Sustainability 

            The Changing Economic World
            Development Gap, Globalisation, Economic Futures UK

            The Challenge of Resource Management

Resource Management, Food Management 

ASSESSMENT: 

            LIVING WITH THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
            35% GCSE       Written exam 1 hour 30 minutes

            CHALLENGES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
            35% GCSE       Written exam 1 hour 30 minutes

            GEOGRAPHICAL APPLICATIONS
            30% GSCE       Written paper 1 hour
Based on fieldwork, Issue evaluation and Geographical skills

After Geography GCSE?

Not all Geography students become Geography teachers or weather presenters on the television!  GCSE Geography leads into A Level courses or even geography based courses at university.  Geography graduates have diverse career destinations and the subject has one of the highest rates of graduate employability.

 

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