Geography at Year 7
Local, Global and National and focuses on the locational aspects of Geography. Students:
Settlement focuses on the location, reason and structures of different settlements. Students within this topic will learn:
The Geography detectives focus on a variety of features within Geography ranging from atlas work to map skills. Students will learn:
The Rivers and coasts module focuses on the creation and dynamism of features within these environments. Students will learn:
Geography at Year 8
Plate Tectonics focuses on the planets features and how people are impacted. Pupils within this topic will:
Development focuses on the wealth and patterns of economic variety. Pupils within this topic will:
Population focuses on the human features and patterns of variety. Pupils within this topic will:
Energy focuses on the need for energy resources and the impacts this causes. Pupils within this topic will:
GCSE in Geography
Why study this subject?
The Times newspaper says that “Geographers are the most employable,” which in simple terms means “people with Geography qualifications get the best jobs”. GCSE Geography is a study of both the man-made environment and the natural environment. It is also about making us better and more aware citizens by considering what we can do to prevent the problems faced by the planet. Many of the topics are studied through case studies (real geographical events or places), for example volcanoes.
What will I learn?
You will continue to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills you developed during Key Stage 3. You will continue to learn about the world around you and issues and ideas which are important in the world today. This GCSE involves a study of earthquakes and volcanoes, cliff collapse, flooding, the population explosion and the role of companies such as Apple and McDonalds.
How will I be taught?
The structure of the course reflects the questions you will get in the examination. You will have the opportunity for independent study, group work and you will use ICT to find out about the latest case studies. You may also be taken to field trips; in recent years these have involved the natural history museum in London and the upper course of a river and waterfall in the countryside in Shropshire.
How will I be assessed?
75% of your grade will be based on your performance in the written examinations and 25% is based on your coursework. Throughout the course, your class work and homework will be marked and graded on a scale which reflects GCSE grades. You will always know what grade you are working at and how to improve your performance and progress.
What qualifications will I get at the end of the course?
A GCSE in Geography.
What can this qualification lead to afterwards?
Geographers enter a very wide range of career areas like advertising, diplomatic service, education, environmental agencies, finance, law, land management, marketing, sales, social/health services, etc.
Post-16 progression
After securing a good GCSE grade in Geography you will have the option to undertake an A-level in Geography. The most obvious higher education path would be to study a degree in Geography but due to the diversity of the subject you are able to choose a vast array of courses. To name just a few: Human Geography (BA), Physical Geography (BSC), Volcanology (BA), Town Planning and Management (BA), Social Studies (BSC), Law (BA), Accountancy (BA), Teaching and Education (BA); the opportunities are literally endless.
Do I have to do any coursework?
Coursework is currently worth 25% of your final mark and will be a study based upon a local area.
How much homework will I have to do?
You will be given homework in the form of research projects that will be set once every term.
Where can I find out more about this qualification?
You can find out more about what we are studying at the BBC Bitesize website. You can also speak to Geography teachers who will tell you about the benefits of undertaking a Geography GCSE.
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