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Geography

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Geography 

Head of Department: Mr Green
Teachers: Mr Green, Mr Conroy, Mrs Covus & Mr Gill

Our Vision for Geography at Burnham Grammar School 

Intent

Our intent is to deliver a broad, balanced and relevant geography curriculum that inspires and enthuses each BGS student. Our aim is for each student to develop geographical knowledge of varying natural and human environments (and the interactions between them), spanning the entire globe. As a result, we will increase understanding of different groups of people from a diverse range of places, including their lifestyles, potential viewpoints and economic circumstances (Caring Individuals). We will, where possible, provide fieldwork opportunities for students in each key stage, as well as developing their decision-making and problem-solving skills through a range of current, real-world issues (Responsible Learners). This is because fieldwork brings learning in the classroom to life and it enables students to conduct their own enquiry-led investigations. Finally, we will equip students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to tackle climate change and create a more sustainable future, in both the local and wider community (Active Citizens, Prepared for their Future).


Implementation 

We encourage our students to be Responsible Learners through a broad range of teaching methods. All lesson resources are shared with students by their classroom teacher and we use a combination of current examples and well-established case studies in our teaching. ‘Gold’ level challenge tasks are set in all lessons to ensure that students are challenged to make, and learn from, their mistakes. There are lots of opportunities for students to develop skills. Activities such as debates, presentations and discussions enable students to consider different viewpoints, develop confidence and communicate effectively with their peers (Prepared for their Future; Happy, Healthy and Safe). Our topics cover a wide range of places, reflecting our diverse student body and enable every student to expand their knowledge and horizons. We use a range of both formative and summative assessment techniques to support student progress, including mid-topic knowledge checks and end-of-topic tests in each year group. In three of the eleven topics at KS3 level, students are assessed on their ability to research and present work as academic posters or as part of a group through a presentation. Alongside this, termly book checks are used to ensure that students take pride in their work and become increasingly responsible and independent. Students regularly respond to their feedback and reflect on their own learning (Responsible Learners).


Impact

Through the geography curriculum, students enjoy studying the subject (Happy, Health and Safe). They are enthused by the topics and lessons, and recognise the relevance to their own lives and futures. As a result, many students see the value of studying it beyond KS3. Geography is a popular subject at both GCSE and A-level. Students develop a broad range of skills by studying the subject, including synoptic skills that allow them to make links between geography and their other subjects.  At all key stages, students are academically successful in geography and go on to achieve very good results at GCSE and A-level (Responsible Learners). Through their experiences in geography, students are aware of the wide range of opportunities available to them as result of studying the subject (Prepared for their Future).


Wider Curriculum Opportunities 

  • Year 8, February: Visit to the Natural History Museum, London.  Enhancing understanding of the Natural Hazards scheme of learning.
  • Year 10, June: Fieldwork in Littlehampton and Worthing.  Investigating coastal processes and management.
  • Year 11, October: Fieldwork in Stratford, London.  Investigating the contrasts between two different parts of the city.
  • Year 12, July: Four days of fieldwork in the UK (residential). Investigating regeneration and coastal management in contrasting places.
  • Years 11 and 12, October: Iceland (biennially).  An opportunity to inspire students in the land of fire and ice.
Please see the KS3/KS4 & KS5 Curriculum Map for Geography below : 

KS3/KS4/KS5 Geography Curriculum Map

Please see further information about each of the KS3, KS4 and KS5 Geography Curriculum below : 

 

 

KS3 Geography Curriculum & Topics

KS3 Geography Curriculum & Topics

Year 7 :

  • Map Skills
  • Development and Africa
  • Weather, Climate and Ecosystems
  • Expanding Cities
  • Coastal Landscapes

Year 8:

  • Climate Change
  • Natural Hazards
  • The Middle East
  • Ice Worlds
  • Population & Resources

In Key Stage 3, we introduce key concepts in geography and enable students to study a diverse range of places around the globe.

In year 7, we introduce maps and graphicacy as fundamental aspects of geography in the first term. We then investigate development, with a specific focus on East Africa before looking at Weather, Climate and Ecosystems (with a focus on the Tropical Rainforest). Towards the end of Year 7, we explore the increase in the number of people living in cities around the world before finishing the year investigating aspects of physical and human geography at the coast.

In year 8, we introduce the year by exploring perhaps the defining issue of our age: climate change. We then investigate natural hazards followed by aspects of physical geography and human geography in the Middle East. We finish the year with a contrasting look at Ice Worlds and how there are rising populations around the world but declining natural resources.

KS4 Geography Curriculum & Topics

We follow the AQA GCSE specification.

Year 9:

  1. Ecosystems/Tropical Rainforests
  2. Tectonic Hazards
  3. A City in a Low-Income Country (LIC) – Rio de Janeiro
  4. River Landscapes of the UK
  5. Geographical Skills

Year 10:

  1. Weather Hazards and Climate Change
  2. Resource Management and Energy
  3. The Economic World, Closing the Development Gap and Nigeria
  4. Coastal Landscapes of the UK

Year 11:

  1. Urban Change in a UK City (London)
  2. Economic Futures in the UK
  3. Cold Environments
  4. Preparation for Paper 3: Issue Evaluation and Unfamiliar Fieldwork

Geography is one of the most popular options subjects for students and they have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork outside of school in Year 10 and Year 11.

The current Year 10 students complete a trip to Littlehampton and Worthing on the south coast of the UK to look at coastal processes and coastal management.  Year 11 complete urban fieldwork in London, comparing two very different areas within close Geographical proximity: the East Village in Stratford and the Maryland estate nearby.

KS5 Geography Curriculum & Topics

We follow the Edexcel A-level specification.

Year 12 (Physical Geography):

  1. Tectonic Hazards
  2. Coasts

Year 12 (Human Geography):

  1. Globalisation
  2. Regenerating Places
  3. Statistical Skills for Geographers
  4. Preparation for NEA

Year 13 (Physical Geography):

  1. Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
  2. Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
  3. Preparation for Synoptic Paper

Year 13 (Human Geography):

  1. Superpowers
  2. Health, Human Rights and Intervention

Geography is a popular choice for students at A-level, with two classes of over 25 students taking the subject each year.
In July, Year 12 students attend a 5-day residential in Somerset providing them with the opportunity to test out their theoretical understanding of the subject in the real world alongside learning new fieldwork techniques prior to carrying out independent fieldwork for their non-examined assessment (NEA) in the summer holidays.  The write-up of their NEA is worth 20% of their total A-level grade.

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