The study of Geography helps students to understand our dynamically changing world and to prepare them to become responsible global citizens. Students in the Geography department are encouraged to develop a sense of wonder about places. Geography explains how places and landscapes are formed, how people and the environment interact and the links between societies and economies.
Geographical enquiry encourages questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people`s lives, for the present and future.
Geography inspires students to think about their own place in the world, their values and responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.
Department Staff: Mr J.Jones
Mrs C.Woodward
Department Facilities: The department is housed in two rooms in a modern Humanities wing of the College. Each classroom has PC`s linked to a projector and whiteboard screen. The department also has shared access to a suite of 12 computers within the Humanities wing.
All students in Years 7, 8 and 9 receive a one hour Geography lesson per week. Students follow six themes of :
My World
Shrinking World
Water World
Threatened World
Diverse World
Dangerous World.
During Key Stage 3 there is a progression in expectation based on increasingly complex issues or themes.
Throughout Key Stage 3 students will be practising and developing their mapping skills and interpreting data in various forms.
OCR Geography
Both the Terminal Examination and the Decision Making Exercise have two tiered papers.
Each Foundation Paper assesses grades G to C whilst each Higher Paper assesses grades D to A*.
ASSESSMENT UNITS
Ercall Wood Geography students will be taught to the OCR GCSE Geography B specification from September 2009.
The specification consists of three units:-
- UNIT ONE: Sustainable Decision Making – this is a 1 hour written paper and is worth 25% of the total GCSE mark.
- UNIT TWO: Geographical Enquiry is 25% of the total GCSE mark and is a controlled assessment of two pieces which are externally moderated.
The Geographical Enquiry is composed of two tasks:-
- Fieldwork Focus – production of a report based on primary data. The aim is to produce a 1200 word assessment under controlled conditions.
- Geographical Investigation – the investigation has a secondary data focus. The aim is to complete an 800 word assessment under controlled conditions.
- UNIT THREE: Key Geographical Themes – this section is worth 50% of the total GCSE mark and is a 1 hour 30 minute written paper.
There are four key themes within this specification:-
- Theme 1 Rivers and Coasts
- Theme 2 Population and Settlement
- Theme 3 Natural Hazards
- Theme 4 Economic Development