Townley Geography Teaching & Learning Curriculum Geography

Year 7

• My place in the world- Global connections
• Map Skills
• Weather and Climate
• Russia
• Local fieldwork: Bexley Village

Year 8

• Biomes
• Rainforests
• Climate Change
• Glaciation
• Africa
• Development

Year 9

• Tectonic Activity
• Development – Emerging countries
• China
• Coasts
• Fieldwork: Reculver

At KS4 pupils follow the Edexcel GCSE Geography B specification.  Students of our Edexcel GCSE Geography B specification will focus on the ways geographical studies apply to their lives and to the real world, including physical and human geography and the relationships between people and environments.

Assessment Structure

This GCSE comprises of three components, all will be externally assessed at the end of this linear 2-year course.

• Component 1: Global Geographical Issues, 37.5% of the award. This component will investigate physical and human processes that influence our changing world.  Students will study earthquake and volcanic activity, development dilemmas and the challenges of an urbanising world.
• Component 2: UK Geographical Issues, 37.5% of the award. This component will explore the UK’s evolving physical and human landscapes. Students will take part in fieldwork opportunities to support this component.
• Component 3: People and Environment Issues – Making Geographical Decisions, 25% of the award. Students will investigate our biosphere and resource consumption to develop an awareness and solutions to create a more sustainable world.

Geography is considered as both a science and humanities subject. Therefore it leaves a wide array of career paths open for students. Whether they are interested in physical Geography careers such as hydrology, climate science or a human Geography career such as GIS and consultancy. However, most students use Geography as a subject which gives them a wide variety of skills, current affairs and understanding for any career path they wish to follow including: Banking, Retail, Teaching, Public Relations, Events Management and Media. Geography is highly regarded at university level and beyond and is therefore incredibly popular at Townley.

Year 12

Area of study, Physical section – Dynamic Landscapes

• Topic 1 : Tectonic Processes and Hazards
• Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change- Coastal Landscapes and Change Area of Study, Human section.
• Topic 3: Globalisation
• Topic 4: Shaping places – Regenerating places Both units look at new concepts and geographical ideas as well as building on knowledge from GCSE, examples include Globalisation, population change, regeneration, flooding and tectonic activity.

Year 13

Area of study: Physical section

• Topic 3: Physical Systems and Sustainability
• Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
• Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security Topic
• Topic 7: Climate Change Futures Area of study: Human section
• Topic 8: Superpowers
• Topic 9: Global Development and Connections- Migration, Identity and Sovereignty Coursework

Independent Investigation – Following 4 days of fieldwork candidates will define a question or issue for investigation, relating to the compulsory or optional content. This topic may relate to any aspect of geography within the specification. The estimated cost for this trip is £340.

Candidates will sit 3 external examinations following this 2 year course.

Paper 1 - 30% Content overview

• Area of study 1 Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards
• Area of study 1 Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change
• Area of study 3 Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
• Area of study 3 Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
• Area of study 3 Topic 7: Climate Change Futures

Paper 2 - 30% Content overview

• Area of study 2 Topic 3: Globalisation
• Area of study 2 Topic 4: Shaping Places
• Area of study 4 Topic 8: Superpowers
• Area of study 4 Topic 9: Global Development and Connections

Paper 3 - 20%

The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas.