Geography

Geography is a ‘big’ subject, covering a vast array of topics. At St Bart’s we aim to provide high-quality geographic education which inspires students’ curiosity and fascination about the world and its people.

The subject aims to create globally minded young adults who have knowledge and understanding about diverse places, people, resources and environments, including the many links and interactions between them.

Geography at St Bart’s is focused around the key concepts of systems, causality, globalisation, inequality, and sustainability. Through these themes we aim to challenge students to consider their place in the world, and the impact their choices have on others and the environment.

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Year 7-9

KS3 Geography is underpinned by the key concepts: Systems, Sustainability, Causality, Inequality and Globalisation Students will learn the following geographical skills: fieldwork enquiry, geographical questions, methodologies & data collection, data presentation, analysis & conclusions and evaluations

Year 7 Curriculum

In Year 7 the curriculum focuses on a UK & local scale allowing students to use personal experience.

Topics

‘Our Island Home’

Introduction to Geography
Geographical Skills e.g. map reading
Weather & Climate
My Environmental Footprint
My Place

Year 8 Curriculum

In Year 8 the curriculum widens to encompass a global scale.

Topics

‘Our Changing Planet’

Dynamic World – Tectonic Hazards
Population
Landscape Systems

Trips

Hurst Castle Spit (data analysis linked to Landscape Systems)

Year 9 Curriculum

In Year 9 the curriculum covers more complex issues as students should have a good grounding of geographical principles and can use these in their understanding of the topics.

Topics

‘‘Our Threatened Planet’

Global Interdependence
Fragile Ecosystems
Conflict & Human Rights
Our Future World

Trips

Kew Gardens (field work skills)

GCSE (Year 10-11)

Examination Board: OCR

Course Description

The GCSE Geography course encourages learners to think like geographers through the study of geographical themes applied within the context of the UK and the wider world. The course gives a prominent position to fieldwork and other geographical skills whilst ensuring they are embedded within the student’s knowledge and understanding of geographical themes.

This course aims to inspire a passion for Geography within learners which encourages an interest in the subject beyond academic achievements. Students will cover a range of topics which will develop their knowledge of locations, places, environments and processes, and of different scales including local, national and global. The course engages with social, political and cultural contexts.

Assessment

This qualification is assessed through three exam papers:

Living in the UK Today (1 hour, 60 marks, worth 30%). This paper assesses knowledge and understanding of the following elements: landscapes of the UK, people of the UK and UK environmental challenges.
The World Around Us (1 hour, 60 marks, worth 30%). This paper assesses knowledge and understanding of the following elements: ecosystems of the planet, people of the planet, environmental threats to our planet.
Geographical Skills (1 hour 30 mins, 80 marks, worth 40%). This paper assesses students’ understanding of geographical fieldwork, as well as broader geographical skills such as photo analysis, and interpreting maps and graphs as well as assessing fieldwork skills from two trips out.

There is no coursework for this qualification.

There are two trips which are a compulsory aspect of the course, these involve a cost of around £15-£20 each

Revision Materials

Year 11 Geography Revision Video offers guidance on what and how to revise in Geography
GCSE Geography Revision Hub with sections available on each exam and topic. Revision notes and activities available. Lists of case studies and suggested revision guides. Past papers are also available.
GCSE Unit 1 Revision Tips video
GCSE Unit 2 Revision Tips video
GCSE Unit 3 Revision Tips video

Sixth Form (Year 12-13)

Examination Board: OCR

Course Description

In A Level Geography students study an engaging combination of human geography and physical geography. The course investigates the relationship of human populations to each other over space and time and studies the relationship between human populations and their physical environment – from the local to the global – understanding how this relates to contemporary issues, values and attitudes.

Students will develop knowledge of physical geographic processes looking at landscape and life support systems, as well as the carbon and water cycles.

As part of the course, students complete geographical fieldwork and develop investigation skills, selecting, using and evaluating a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches (including observing, collecting and analysing geo-located data).

Assessment

This is a linear course. This means that students opting for an A Level in this subject will be committing to a two-year linear course, with all units examined at the end of Year 13. Assessment includes an independent investigation NEA (Non-exam Assessment) which is worth 20% of final mark.

Please note that in accordance with the curriculum, there is a compulsory residential field trip which costs in the region of £350-£400.