Geography

Members of Staff

Mrs. L. Johnson: Teacher of Geography
Mrs. K. Kasmani: Teacher of Geography
Mrs. A. Warren: Teacher of Humanities

Subject Overview

Geography is well-established and extremely successful at Lancaster. The study of geography stimulates an interest in and a sense of wonder about places which inspires pupils to become global citizens. Geography helps young people make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world. It explains where places are, how places and landscapes are formed, how people and their environment interact, and how a diverse range of economies, societies and environments are interconnected.

Pupils learn to think spatially, use maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS), to obtain, present and analyse information.

Fieldwork

Geographical enquiry encourages questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, now and in the future. Fieldwork is an essential element of this. The department has an extremely active programme of fieldwork in both KS3 & KS4.

In year 7 there is a fieldtrip to Bradgate Park and the University of Leicester Botanic Garden in the summer term.

We now carry out field work in year 10 to study how a river changes from source to mouth in Bradgate Country Park and in year 11 we investigate housing challenges in and around Knighton.

Geography at Key Stage 3

Students are entitled to 4 hours per week of Humanities. This is split into Geography, History and Religious Studies and students will study each subject on a rotational system.

Pupils will be taught in mixed ability classes in Year 7 and 8.

The course content for Geography in KS3 in each year is being developed at present. Below are examples of topics that will be studied:

Year 7

Map Skills and Local Area
Weather and Climate
Settlement
Africa
India
Tectonics Hazards

Year 8

Population
Industry
Pole to Pole
Watery World
Map Skills

Geography at Key Stage 4

Geography is an entitlement subject at KS4. Students study GCSE Geography for 3 hours per week in both Year 10 and Year 11. Students are taught in either mixed ability sets or in set groups if there is a suitable opportunity within the option bands - usually there are 3 or 4 groups, dependent on numbers opting for the course. There is also an opportunity to study Travel and Tourism as an option.

Year 9

Climate Global Hazards
Tectonic Global Hazards
Changing Climate
Distinctive Landscapes

Year 10

Ecosystems
Urban Futures
Dynamic Development
The UK in the 21st Century

Year 11

Resource Reliance
Fieldwork Skills
Geographical Exploration

They follow the OCR B Syllabus, information about which is outlined below or can be found on the OCR website www.ocr.org.uk.

GCSE Course Information

GCSE Syllabus - Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds 9-1) J384.

This exam is taken in the June of Year 11and lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The syllabus provides enquiry questions and new and exciting content to enthuse and engage students. Interconnections of topics are explored throughout, there is a focus on fieldwork, ensuring these skills are embedded within the scheme of learning.

The new syllabus has been created to provide rewarding learning experiences for all students across a range of abilities and interests. The syllabus covers 8 topic areas, which are arranged into:

Our Natural World (Paper 1 / 1 hour 15 minutes / 35% of the total grade)

Global Hazards
Changing Climate
Distinctive landscapes
Sustaining Ecosystems

People and Society (Paper 2 / 1 hour 15 minutes / 35% of the total grade)

Urban futures
UK in the 21st Century
Dynamic Development
Resource Reliance

Geographical Skills, Exploration and Decision Making (Paper 3 / 1 hour 30 minutes / 30% of the total grade)

There will be questions on all themes from Our Natural World and People and Society. There will be a decision making exercise where resources will be available to students to help them apply their understanding to a particular situation or example.