Curriculum

Geography

Department Philosophy:  “Learning through Experience”
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 and 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.

Structure at KS3: All students in Years 7, 8 and9 receive a 1 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

Structure at KS4:

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

Units

             Title

Duration

Weighting

2401/F

Decision Making
Exercise  (Foundation)

1hour
45 minutes

   30%

2401/H

Decision Making
Exercise  (Higher)

1hour
45 minutes

   30%

2402

Terminal Examination
(Foundation)

2 hours
15 minutes

   50%

2403

Terminal Examination
(Higher)

2 hours
15 minutes

   50%

2404

Internal Assessment

N/A

   20%

 
Terminal Examination

Each paper will have 3 sections.
●Section A will assess Places. It will have three questions, one on the European Union (EU), including the UK, one on less economically developed countries (LEDC) and one on more economically developed countries (MEDC) outside the EU. Two questions must be answered.
●Section B will assess Physical Themes. It will have two questions, one on each of Theme 1(Physical Systems and Environments) and Theme 2 (Natural Hazards and People).
One question must be answered.
●Section C will assess Human Themes. It will have two questions, one on each of Theme 3 (Economic Systems and Development) and Theme 4 (Population and Settlement). One question must be answered.

Decision Making Exercise (DME)

The DME is designed to provide students with opportunities to proceed through three stages (background, options, decisions) of investigating issues related to sustainable development. A resource booklet will be supplied in advance of the unseen examination paper. It will be based on Theme 5 (Sustainable Development) issues which are linked to :

● the Earth`s resources;
● exploitation and management of natural resources.


Possible issues

● Effects of an Environmental Change.
● Cities in the Twenty First Century.
● The Development of Energy Sources.
● Forest Futures.
● Threatened Environments.
● Feeding the World`s Population.
● Economic Growth and Environment.

Internal Assessment (Coursework)

Based on any part of specification content.
Balance of understanding, applications and skills to be demonstrated across the internally assessed unit.


Understanding

Applications

Skills

Total

          5%
10 marks

         5%
10 marks

 10%
20 marks

 20%
40 marks

This geographical investigation should include opportunities for fieldwork, mapwork and the use of ICT.

Unit content

Theme 1 – Physical Systems and Environments

  1. Geomorphic processes and landforms.
  2. Atmospheric processes and climate.
  3. Physical environments and systems.

Theme 2 – Natural Hazards and People

  1. The nature and distribution of natural hazards.
  2. The processes responsible for natural hazards.
  3. The effects of natural hazards on people.

Theme 3 – Economic Systems and Development

  1. Economic systems.
  2. Economic activity, growth and change.
  3. International disparities, trade and interdependence.

Theme 4 – Population and Settlement

  1. Population distribution, structure and change.
  2. The location and function of settlements.
  3. Land use within settlements.
  4. The growth and decline of settlements.

Theme 5 – Sustainable Development

  1. The Earth`s resources.
  2. Exploitation and management of natural resources.
  3. Resolving Issues.