The Green School for Boys

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Geography

Head of Geography Miss E Croft

CURRICULUM VISION

Our intent is to provide each individual student with an aspirational, enriching education that inspires curiosity about the world and its people, the challenges it faces and their place within it. This will be achieved through a curriculum that enables students to investigate and reflect upon diverse places and their natural and human environments, the interactions at different spatial scales and how they change over time. This will allow students to foster a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world in which we live, develop their resilience and critical thinking, and guide them to become geographers rather than simply learners of geography. Our students will be guided to become globally and environmentally informed individuals who are able to take an active role in creating a hopeful future for themselves and the world.

 

In particular our students will:

  • Be able to explain the characteristics of physical and human environments and the complex interactions between them at different spatial scales and apply this knowledge in unfamiliar contexts.
  • Be able to grasp the breadth of geographical concepts, including a wide range of current, real world examples both from the UK and further afield.
  • Be able to explain the importance of sustainable management of the environment and how to evaluate the costs and benefits of human activities appreciating the views of different stakeholders. 
  • Be able utilise problem solving skills when exploring some of the big geographical issues affecting different groups of people, the environment and their futures. 
  • Be able to apply geographical skills including the interpretation of maps and conducting geographical enquiry. 

 CURRICULUM PROVISION

What is Geography?

Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of the earth’s surface and the human societies spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the natural environment, and the way that locations and places can have an impact on people. Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time.

Why do we study Geography?

Geography allows us to explore and understand different places and interactions on a variety of scales. Through studying Geography, we can begin to appreciate how places and landscapes are formed, how people and environments interact, what consequences arise from our everyday decisions, and what a diverse range of cultures and societies exist and interconnect. Geography is a subject which builds on young people’s own experiences, helping them to formulate questions, develop their intellectual skills and find answers to issues affecting their lives. Geography also allows us to develop a greater understanding of the world in which we live and help us to become a better global citizen. .This means learners’ real-life skills are developed and become relevant to future decision making. Geography is also recognised for its academic ‘robustness’ as it develops an extensive range of skills, both geographical and cross-curricular.

What do we study?

  • At Key Stage 3 we study a wide range of topics from the local to global scale. Our curriculum takes a thematic approach, giving the students a wide geographical experience through the exploration of some of the big geographical questions and issues relating to both human and physical geography. 
  • At GCSE level we study the Edexcel B syllabus. The course covers Global Geographical Issues, UK Geographical Issues and People and Environment Issues – Making Geographical Decisions, with fieldwork part of the UK units. The course will deepen understanding of geographical processes, illuminate the impact of change and of complex people-environment interactions, highlight the dynamic links and interrelationships between places and environments at different scales, and develop students’ competence in using a wide range of geographical investigative skills and approaches.

To view a full summary of our KS3 and KS4 Geography curriculum please click here

To view information about Geography at the Green School Sixth Form please click here

At the Green School for Boys’ we use the above teaching to ensure that our curriculum is well-rounded, balanced, and  supports all the boys to appreciate the complexity of attitudes and values which shape the way we use and misuse the environment. 

                         CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION                                             

 How do we study Geography? 

Students can enjoy a combination of independent work, group projects and discussions. In lessons there is a focus on students to think independently then share their ideas with a partner, in small groups or with the whole class. Geography involves discussions based learning through debating, in addition to students completing shorter and longer writing tasks. Fieldwork and virtual fieldwork is an integral part of the curriculum from KS3 through to KS5.

Presentation of Work 

The best way to prepare for your Geography lessons is to come properly equipped and ready to learn. We expect all students to produce work that reflects their true potential. Each student’s book should be neat, legible and contain their best work, this includes both written work and diagrams/ graphs.  Each unit will start with a unit checklist for self-assessment and knowledge organiser.

 Home Learning

Home learning is an integral part of the curriculum, and tasks are aimed to either consolidate knowledge from the lessons or to prepare students for future learning. Students will complete a range of tasks which are shared with them via Google Classroom.

 Co - curricular activities

Students will be given fieldwork opportunities to develop their geographical understanding in a practical setting. Throughout the year students will be able to partake in important geographical events such as Earth Day and The Big Plastic Count.

How parents/carers can support their children

  •  Encourage an awareness of current world events through reading about or watching news programmes and documentaries.
  • Debate and discuss topical issues at home, such as climate change or local transport issues.
  • Show support by asking students what they are studying to open up conversations at home.

Recommended Reading

  • Factfulness - Hans Rosling 
  • There Is No Planet B - Mike Berners-Lee
  • No-one Is Too Small to Make a Difference - Greta Thunberg 
  • Population 10 Billion - Danny Dorling
  • Prisoners of Geography - Tim Marshall
  • The Almighty Dollar - Dharshini David
  • Time for Geography website



CURRICULUM IMPACT

Assessment

  • Formative assessment will take place in lessons through discussion, questioning and plenaries.
  • Cumulative summative assessment takes place throughout the school year where strengths and improvements are identified and students respond to this feedforward. 
  • There are formal examinations at the end of each academic year.

Careers Leading on from Geography

  • Many students don't realise that beyond their subject knowledge, geography also equips them with a broad range of personal learning and thinking skills (PLTs) such as teamwork, independent enquiry and creative thinking - all highly valued by employers.
  • As a result, Geography leads to many, many careers including: Logistics Manager; Business Manager, GIS Specialist; Town Planner; Environmental Consultant; Air Traffic Controller; Lawyer; Mapping Software Designer; Meteorologist; Hydrologist and Environmental Engineer; Data Analyst; Marketing.
  • To view more information about our school Careers programme please click here