Subject Information

"The study of geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It is about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together."

Ex US President Barrack Obama

Twickenham School Geography:

‘Is the study of how students’ lives as 'informed and active future citizens’ are connected to others and are both shaped by and impact on the environments they inhabit so they are able/equipped to make sustainable choices for the future.'

Intention:

The Geography Department aims to:

• build on prior learning in key stages 1 and 2 and early years experiences of our planet in order to develop a life-long enthusiasm for Geography
• encourage all students to consider further study of geography and entry to related careers post-16 and beyond
• develop students’ interest of the impact of geography in the wider world through enquiry, field trips to both urban and rural environments and continued work of the sustainability ambassadors club and house based whole school competitions.

Key Stage 3

The curriculum is sequenced to ensure that topics are delivered in a logical way in order to develop interleaving and memory retention and link students’ skills and experiences. The curriculum develops knowledge and skills relevant to GCSE Geography including enquiry based investigation in Year 7 and use of the latest ICT resources and learning tools to assess and evaluate topical scenarios linked to current affairs.

Year 7 Geography topic learning is linked by the theme of the importance of water.  Year 8 learning developes an understanding of human interaction with the planet and the environment. Year 9 Autumn and Spring term link the knowledge and concepts of Year 7 and 8, focusing on Globalisation and the impacts of climate change.  Students develop the impact they can have on micro and macro scalage.

In term 3 Year 9 students study the Living World Topic component of the AQA GCSE syllabus. This both serves to complete the National Curriculum breath of coverage for Geography as well as the opportunity to begin the GCSE to cover content with plenty of time to develop practice and preparation for the final assessments.

Key Stage 4

In Year 10 during the Summer Term students conduct a river fieldwork enquiry at Field Studies Centre in Dorking investigating changes in stages of the river Tillingbourne and human impact on the river. Students thoroughly enjoy this highly inclusive experience away from the school environment and it has impact on their enjoyment and engagement of Geography, particularly linked to paper 1 and 3.

In Year 11 in the spring term students conduct an environmental Urban area analysis of 2 areas in SW London, requiring a wide range of fieldwork techniques.  The students thoroughly enjoy the group work and team ethic approach to calculating data for analysis back in the classroom.

Implementation - curriculum sequence

The Geography department follows the AQA GCSE specification, which can be found here:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/changes-for-2022