Geography

“Geography is a great adventure with a purpose.”

Michael Palin

The Importance of Geography

Our overall goal is to give students a better understanding of, and a lasting interest in, the world around us. It is also to encourage students to develop a strong responsibility for their own actions: towards themselves, other individuals and their environment. Geography develops students’ sense of place and belonging and allows them to develop their analytical and questioning skills.

The department team of specialist Geography teachers use a range of learning and teaching styles to engage and motivate students to consider the challenges that they face in the world today and in the future. Geography is an integral part of the Humanities’ Faculty that strives to help our students become responsible global citizens.

Key Stage 3: Years 7, 8 and 9

Students keep individual portfolios of key assessment work. Units studied:

7: An introduction to Geography & Amazing places, What are maps for?, What is the UK all about?, World resources and sustainability, Coasts

8: Russia, How are cities changing?, Russia, Future floods, Ecosystems, Crime

9.How hazardous is Planet Earth?, Population, Development, The Geography of Sport

GCSE Geography

Students follow the AQA 8035 course which covers a variety of physical, human and environmental themes:

Physical: The challenge of natural hazards, The living world, Physical landscapes in the UK

Human: Urban issues and challenges, The changing economic world, The challenge of resource

management

Students are assessed by three exams at the end of Year 11. Course link: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/specification-at-a-glance

Enrichment

The department offers the following:

Fieldwork visits to places such as the North Norfolk Coast, Southall and locally in Cambridge

A foreign trip for GCSE & A Level students every two years. Previous destinations have included South Africa and Nepal.

Attendance at the Cambridge and District Branch of the Geographical Association annual lecture programme.

The Netherhall Green Society school club