Related Pages
Geography
Welcome to Claremont High School Academy’s Geography Department webpage.
In today's globally interconnected society, it is increasingly important that we understand the world around us. The aim of the Claremont High School Academy Geography Department is to develop inquisitive learners with an understanding of the complex interactions that affect our planet, from the local to the global. Students will investigate both physical and human aspects of geography to discover their role in our increasingly global world.
At Claremont, the geography department produce some excellent results at all key stages, with the majority of students achieving their target grades or higher. Geography is a popular subject at Key Stage 3 with a high number of pupils choosing to study geography at GCSE level and beyond.
Why study geography?
Knowledge and understanding
Geography is the study of the earth. It equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.
Skills
Geography is also about developing a wide range of skills. Geography builds on pupil’s numeracy skills providing an opportunity for pupils to apply mathematics to real life data and situations. Geography improves literacy in pupils expanding their vocabulary whilst enhancing their ability to construct well-structured written responses supported with factual evidence.
Pupils develop the ability to interpret Ordnance Survey maps in the classroom and the field, including using grid references and scale, topographical and other thematic mapping, and aerial and satellite photographs. Pupils have the opportunity to use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to view, analyse and interpret places and data.
Fieldwork
Geography is about learning beyond the classroom. Fieldwork opportunities throughout their geographical education help develop pupil’s independent learning skills and sense of enquiry. Fieldwork requires pupils to carry out data collection in contrasting environments in the UK and teaches them to explore and ask questions about the world around them.
The Geography Department Team
The geography department consists of 5 full time members of staff. Mr Riggs, Mr McDavid, Ms Patel, Ms Hung and Mr Baptiste teach at Key Stage 3 and 4. Mr Riggs, Mr McDavid and Ms Patel teach A Level geography. At Key Stage 4 and 5 we use the AQA exam board.
The Geography Recovery Curriculum
Read the following information to find out what steps the Geography Department are taking to support your child from September 2020.
For all students we are taking a steady approach towards recovering from the COVID 19 school shutdown. Our first priority is to reintegrate students into the school routines and ensure all students feel safe and happy in the classroom environment.
Key Stage 3
Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 will continue to follow the programmes of study outlined below. Any gaps in knowledge regarding content covered during lockdown will be addressed by teachers within lessons to ensure students have the appropriate contextual knowledge to support their learning.
GCSE
Year 11 students will spend the first few weeks in September revisiting and revising topics learnt in the latter half of Year 10 – including The Challenge of Resource Management and The Living World. For those students who were unable to access the online learning this offers an opportunity to catch up on work missed and ensures they are provided with the teaching needed to learn these topics. For students who have accessed online learning effectively throughout the lockdown, revision materials and practice exam questions will be provided to enhance their understanding of the topics and prepare for the upcoming mock examination.
All students will be provided with revision materials, practice exam questions and mark schemes plus example answers written by the department for further support and clarification on both content and exam technique.
Following the mock exam, Year 11 students will follow the programme of study outlined in the course content below.
Changes to the AQA GCSE syllabus, as a result of Covid-19, now mean students are no longer required to undertake fieldwork or answer questions on fieldwork in the GCSE exam. As a result, Year 11 students will not be required to attend the fieldwork trip we had planned. Although it is disappointing for students to miss out on this opportunity, it does mean there is now more time to ensure all students have covered all topics thoroughly.
Year 10 students will follow the programme of study outlined in the course content below.
A Level
Year 13 student will have opportunities throughout the year to re-visit and revise Year 12 topics and address any topic areas of weakness. All Year 13 students will be provided with revision materials, practice exam questions, marks schemes and example answers for all topics.
In the autumn term Year 13 will study Hazards in their physical geography lessons, and Population and the Environment in their human geography lessons.
At present, Year 13 students are still required to undertake a fieldwork investigation (NEA) in order for them to complete coursework worth 20% of the final grade. Local fieldwork opportunities will be provided to ensure all students are able to complete their fieldwork investigations successfully. This will take place between January and May 2021.
Year 12 students will follow the programme of study outlined in the A Level section below.
How will we determine which pupils need extra help?
- At all key stages, teachers will identify students who need extra support and tailor support to students’ individual needs.
- At GCSE this support may be in the form of after school or lunchtime intervention.
- At A Level we will be particularly mindful of ensuring extra support is provided for students who need help regarding their fieldwork investigation.
Which in class strategies will be used to cover any gaps in knowledge?
- At all Key Stages, assessment for learning and content retrieval practice strategies will be used in class to ensure students are able to deploy previously learned knowledge effectively
- Microsoft Teams will continue to be used for self-assessment quizzes to check for knowledge gaps. These can then be addressed in class.
What out of lesson support will be provided?
- Resource lists are available on SharePoint for each year group. These include websites, videos, podcasts, books, films, quizzes and articles to support and extend the understanding of History content being covered in lessons.
- At KS3 and GCSE students have access to online text books via the Kerboodle website. Username and passwords will be provided for all students.
- A Level students will be provided with their own course text book to support their learning beyond the classroom.
- Recorded lessons are available for all key stages on Microsoft Teams for students to refer to.
Programme of Study
Key Stage 3 - Year 7 and 8
Pupils in Year 7 and 8 consolidate and extend their knowledge of the world’s major countries and their physical and human features. They learn how geographical processes interact to create distinctive human and physical landscapes that change over time. Pupils develop greater competence in using geographical knowledge, approaches and concepts [such as models and theories] and geographical skills in analysing and interpreting different data sources.
Year 7 and 8 Geography - click here
Year 9
All Year 9 students will benefit from studying some of the most important, topical and engaging topics geography has to offer – Tectonic Hazards, The Changing Economic World, Weather Hazards and Climate Change, and Global Superpowers. For those who choose to study geography beyond year 9, this ensures students have a strong foundation knowledge and the skills required to study geography at GCSE level.
Year 9 Geography - click here
Key Stage 4 - GCSE
At Claremont, students will follow the AQA GCSE Geography Grade 9-1 Syllabus which builds upon the GCSE foundation year to develop students' understanding of both physical and human geography and improve their geographical skills. Topics include ‘The Challenge of Natural Hazards’, ‘The Living World’, ‘Physical Landscapes in the UK’, ‘Urban Issues and Challenges’, ‘The Changing Economic World’ and ‘The Challenge of Resource Management’. Year 11 students will also take part in a fieldtrip to Norfolk, which will enable them to prepare for their Geographical Applications exam, which focuses on fieldwork skills and issues evaluation.
Exam Structure:
Students will sit 3 exams at the end of the course.
Paper 1 – Physical geography
Paper 2 – Human geography
Paper 3 – Geographical Applications (Skills)
Course content
In order to support independent learning we provide students with access to an online copy of the GCSE textbook.
Click on the topic headings for more detail about the content which is covered.
YEAR 10
|
Topics to be studied: |
Weeks (Lessons)/Dates |
|
Paper 2 – Section A:
|
7 weeks (18 lessons)
7th September to 23th October Assessment – Week beginning Mon 2nd Nov |
|
Paper 1 – Section A: Challenge of Natural Environments
|
10 weeks (25 lessons)
9th November to 29th January Assessment – Week beginning Mon 1st Feb |
|
Paper 2 – Section C |
6 weeks (15 lessons)
8th Feb to 26th March Assessment – Week beginning Mon 29th Mar |
|
Paper 1 – Section B: |
2 weeks (5 lessons)
19th April to 30th April
|
|
REVISION for End of Year 10 Exam
End of Year Exam |
2 weeks (5 lessons) 3rd to 14th May
17th to 28th May |
|
Paper 1 – Section B: |
4 weeks (10 lessons)
7th June to 2nd July
|
YEAR 11
|
Topics to be studied: |
Weeks (Lessons)/Dates |
|
REVISION: Paper 2 – Section C Challenge of Resource Management
Paper 1 – Section B:
Paper 1 – Section A: Challenge of Natural Environments
Year 11 Oct Mock Exams |
2 weeks (5 lessons)
1 week (3 lessons)
2 weeks (5 lessons)
12th October to 23rd October |
|
Paper 1 – Section C: |
6 weeks (15 lessons)
2nd November to 18th December
|
|
Paper 2 – Section B: |
4 weeks (10 lessons)
4th January to 29th January |
|
REVISION for February Mock Exam
Year 11 Feb Mock Exams |
2 weeks (5 lessons) 1st February to 12th February
22nd Feb to 26th Feb |
|
Paper 2 – Section B: |
4 weeks (10 lessons)
1st March to 26th march
|
|
Paper 3 – DME Pre-release work
|
2 weeks (5 lessons)
29th March to 26th April |
|
REVISION |
4-5 weeks (10-12 lessons) 27th April to 28th May |
Fieldwork
Students are required to attend two fieldwork investigations – one physical enquiry and one human enquiry.
The physical enquiry investigates the Norfolk coast and requires students to attend a 3 day residential trip to Norfolk.
The human enquiry investigates the impacts of regeneration in Wembley and requires students to attend a one-day fieldtrip in the local area.
It is essential that ALL students attend these trips in order for them to answer questions in the Paper 3 examination worth 30% of the final grade.
Key Stage 5 - A Level
At Claremont, students will follow the AQA A Level Geography Syllabus. The qualification enables students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of both physical and human geography whilst building on geographical skills and fieldwork established at GCSE. In physical geography, students explore a range of physical landscapes and develop a greater understanding of the impact of the water and carbon cycle on our planet. In human geography, students investigate global governance, changing places and contemporary urban spaces. Year 12 students will attend a UK based fieldtrip to prepare them for their Independent Fieldwork Investigation which makes up 20% of the final grade.
In order to support independent learning we provide students with their own text books and access to an online copy of the A Level textbook.
Exam Structure:
Students will sit 2 exams at the end of the course and complete one fieldwork investigation.
Paper 1 – Physical geography Paper 2 – Human geography
Year 12
|
Term |
Topics Covered |
Assessments |
|
Autumn Term |
Component 1 Section A: Water and Carbon Cycle
Component 2 Section A: Global Systems and Governance |
Topic assessments for each topic covered
|
|
Spring Term |
Component 1 Section B: Coastal Systems and Landscapes Component 2 Section B: Changing Places |
Topic assessments for each topic covered
|
|
Summer Term |
Component 1 Section B: Coastal Systems and Landscapes Component 2 Section B: Changing Places Component 3: Fieldwork Investigation |
June End of Year 12 Exam
|
Year 13
|
Term |
Topics Covered |
Assessments |
|
Autumn Term |
Component 1 Section C: Hazards
Component 2 Section C: Population and the Environment |
Topic assessments for each topic covered
|
|
Spring Term |
Component 3: Geographical Fieldwork Investigation REVISION of Component 1 (Physical Geography topics) REVISION of Component 2 (Human Geography topics) |
|
|
Summer Term |
Component 3: Geographical Fieldwork Investigation REVISION of Component 1 (Physical Geography topics) REVISION of Component 2 (Human Geography topics) |
Final exams
|
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Fieldwork is viewed as an essential part of the Geography Curriculum and therefore opportunities have been built into the curriculum to allow students to take part in fieldwork investigations in the local area. Students also have the opportunity to take part in trips which enhance and enrich their geographical knowledge and understanding.
The department also runs some very popular residential trips in Year 11 and Year 12 – both for coursework/examination preparation. The Year 11 students go to Norfolk to carry out a fieldwork investigation into the impacts of coastal processes whilst also enjoying some extreme activities. Year 12 students also take part in a residential fieldtrip; recent locations have included Nettlecombe in Somerset and Snowdonia in Wales.
Geography in Action