Geography
Welcome to Geography
We support and encourage all our learners to strive towards high levels of achievement. We aim to equip them with the knowledge, understanding and skills which will enable them to take an active and life-long interest in the world. We hope our learners will always want to look around them, to understand what they see, to appreciate other cultures and to care about their environment.
Email the department: MitchellK@uptonthigh.co.uk
Curriculum
Intent
In Geography we strive to equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to be global citizens in line with our school mission statement: 'Learning to Shape the Future'.
Our curriculum is based on enquiry questions that challenge learners to draw on prior knowledge, to consider different viewpoints and to form their own rigorous conclusions.
Through the study of Geography, we aim to:
- Encourage learners to think about the world in different ways - ‘Thinking like a geographer’.
- Provide learners with the geographical knowledge they need to understand current issues facing our planet and to live their lives as curious citizens - aware of their own local communities within a global setting.
- Provide learners with the confidence to ask good geographical questions and debate the knowledge; such that they have the skills to be active participants and investigators- rather than passive recipients of knowledge.
- Expose learners to geographical enquiry- prompting learners to think critically through reasoning, interpreting data, arguing their point and undertaking fieldwork.
Our curriculum prepares learners for the future with a wide breadth of topics. We ensure that all learners build a strong geographical foundation through acquisition of skills and knowledge. In line with the whole school curriculum in geography the continuum can lead some learners to choose the subject at GCSE.
In the Geography department we prepare learners to adapt to a changing world. The skills and knowledge acquired across our curriculum will allow our learners to demonstrate their cultural awareness, knowledge, and competence. Their cultural capital will essentially give them cultural mobility: being able to move and navigate through cultures and ideas and develop as young people.
Key Stage 3
Learners are taught a wide range of physical and human Geography units, providing a thorough understanding of places, processes, cultures, environments and geopolitical issues.
Further details: Key Stage 3
Key Stage 4
Learners follow the AQA Geography GCSE Specification, the units at KS3 intend to build an understanding from which they can build on throughout the two year GCSE course. An important aspect of the course is the completion of fieldwork on the North Wales coast and in the local neighbourhood. The course is assessed in three final exams.
Further details: Key Stage 4
Key Stage 5
Learners follow the EDEXCEL Geography A Level Specification, building on knowledge and understanding from KS3 and KS4. The course takes learners through a wide range of current geopolitical issues across both physical and human units whilst also developing skills which many find useful in future careers. Fieldwork and research skills are an important element of the course, and learners will have opportunities to visit a range of different environments.
Further details: Key Stage 5
Enrichment
There are many opportunities for learners to engage in geography beyond the classroom.
Chester Zoo Club
Chester University Geography Quiz
Chester University lecture series (KS5)
Chester Zoo Sustainability club
Department Staff & Responsibilities
- Mrs K. Mitchell - Head of Department
- Miss L. Richardson - 2nd in Department
- Mr M. Casstles
- Miss R. Liggett
- Mr D. Morgan
- Mr M. Oakley
- Miss O. Goss
Homework
- Key Stage 3 - 1 x 20 minute piece per fortnight
- Key Stage 4 - 1 x 20 minute piece per week
- Key Stage 5 - Regular reading and past paper questions. NEA Completion.
Feedback
The Geography department follows the whole school feedback policy. Feedback is regularly given in lessons during retrieval practice and questioning. Written feedback is provided for specific pieces of work and assessments.
Assessment
- Key Stage 3 assessment will be based on units studied by End of unit assessments, mid-year and end of year assessments.
- Key Stage 4 assessment will be based on AQA past paper questions and follow the assessment calendar.
- Key Stage 5 assessment will be based on Edexcel past paper questions and follow the assessment calendar.
