Geography

Our Vision

The world is a rich, diverse and dynamic place that is continually being shaped by both physical processes and human action. Consequently, the geography department at Meadowhead is committed to fostering a curiosity and fascination about our world, alongside a deep commitment to learning about the planet, it’s people and its physical landscapes.

Students will expand their knowledge of places at a range of scales, both local and global. They will investigate in both the classroom and the field, the issues that face different places, asking geographical questions and planning enquiries, as well as suggesting and critiquing potential solutions to local and global problems.

Throughout the programme of study, students will progressively build the essential knowledge, understanding and skills needed to understand the synoptic nature of the world and the role that they, as individuals have in shaping that world.

They will study the 7 big ideas of place, space, scale, diversity, interdependence, processes and sustainability. Students will practice communicating and justifying their understanding and view through a range of maps, diagrams, discussion, debate and extended writing. Ultimately we aim to develop:

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• Successful learners – who progress and achieve

• Confident individuals – who lead safe and healthy lives

• Responsible citizens – who make a positive contribution to society

“Geography students hold the key to the world's problems - Geography is a living, breathing subject, constantly adapting itself to change. It is dynamic and relevant. For me geography is a great adventure with a purpose.

So many of the world's current issues – at a global scale and locally - boil down to geography, and need the geographers of the future to help us understand them. Global warming as it affects countries and regions, food and energy security, the degradation of land and soils from over-use and misuse, the spread of disease, the causes and consequences of migration, and the impacts of economic change on places and communities. These are just some of the challenges facing the next generation, which geographers must help solve.

It is a subject that helps young people into work. Many employers prize the knowledge and skills that studying geography can provide and geography in higher education is thriving.” Michael Palin, The Guardian

Key stage 3 (Y7-Y9)

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Term 1	What do you know about the world? What is planet earth like?	What is happening above our heads? Is the earth running out of natural resources?	What is happening beneath our feet? Who will be Asia’s next superpower?
Assessment	Week 1: What do you know about the world? What is planet earth like?	Week 1: What is happening above our heads? Is the earth running out of natural resources?	Week 1: What is happening beneath our feet? Who will be Asia’s next superpower?
Term 2	How are populations changing? What is the lithosphere and how is it shaped?	Can a settlement ever be sustainable? What happens where the land meets the sea?	Why are oceans so important? How do glaciers shape the land?
Assessment	Week 2: What do you know about the world? What is planet earth like? How are populations changing? What is the lithosphere and how is it shaped?	Week 2: What is happening above our heads? Is the earth running out of natural resources? Can a settlement ever be sustainable? What happens where the land meets the sea?	Week 2: What is happening beneath our feet? Who will be Asia’s next superpower? How do glaciers shape the land?
Term 3	What is the lithosphere and how is it shaped (continued) How does the UK earn a living?	What happens where the land meets the sea (continued)? Does Africa have it all?	How do glaciers shape the land (continued)? Why is the Middle East an important region?

Key stage 4 (Y10-Y11)

	Year 10	Year 11
Term 1	Development Gap Tectonic Hazards UK Economy	Urbanisation in Mumba Ecosystems and Tropical Rainforests
Assessment
Term 2	Coastal Landscapes Urban Change UK Urban Fieldwork	Cold Environments Resource Management Pre-Release
Assessment
Term 3	Weather Hazards Climate Change Economic Changes in Nigeria Rivers Rivers Fieldwork	Pre-Release Revision
Assessment	Exam paper based on past exam questions taken from Exampro. Combination of short answer closed questions, data response questions and long, open response questions.	2 exam papers based on past exam questions taken from most recent past paper. Paper 1 – Physical Geography (Natural Hazards & Physical Landscapes of the UK) Paper 2 – Human Geography (Economic World, Urban Issues & Challenges & Resource Management) Combination of short answer closed questions, data response questions and long, open response questions. Paper 3 – Geographical Skills

Key stage 5 (Y12-Y13)

	Year 12	Year 13
Term 1	Tectonics Coasts	Health & human rights Superpowers
Term 2	Regenerating Places Globalisation	Carbon cycle Water cycle
Assessment	Trials 2 papers based on past exam papers. Paper 1 – Coasts Paper 2 - Globalisation Range of questions from 2 – 20 marks.	Trials 3 papers based on past exam papers Paper 1 – Partial physical geography paper covering Tectonics, Coasts, Water/Carbon cycles. Paper 2 –Full human paper covering Globalisation, Superpowers & Health & Human Rights. Paper 3 – Full synoptic paper.
Term 3	Regenerating places NEA and Synoptic paper	Synoptic paper preparation Revision
Assessment	Assessment week / resit trials Synoptic practice paper	Resit trials