Curriculum
GEOGRAPHY
In Geography, students are invited to explore the world and are provided with a profound understanding of it. This is due to the discipline’s focus on spaces, places, and scales. These concepts are then used as the ‘lenses’ through which to explore problems and potential solutions, providing a plethora of different perspectives. By engaging with this powerful geographical knowledge, students become active and critical global citizens.
Due to its appreciation of the human and the physical, Geography is positioned at the intersect between the sciences and the arts. Thus it is well-placed to draw on the best that has been thought from both schools and deepen students understanding. In line with this, Geography also places fieldwork at its heart, drawing from both the scientific method and the innovation and imagination of the arts.
How will I study Geography?
At Small Heath Leadership Academy, we provide an engaging learning environment for all Geography students. The curriculum is structured to ensure students can access increasingly complex geographical content and sources. This knowledge and these skills are then revisited in different contexts, ensuring complete mastery.
As a knowledge-rich discipline, it is vital students build a secure vocabulary around the content they study. This is made possible by an expertly planned curriculum. Students are trained to apply geographical knowledge with greater degrees of automaticity. This allows them to make links not only within and between topics in Geography but across other academic disciplines too, contributing to a strong disciplinary understanding.
What will I study at Key Stage 3?
Students in Year 7 are introduced to the fundamentals of geographical knowledge. They develop geographical skills through a ‘Map Skills’ and ‘Factfulness’ unit before exploring The Gobi in the ‘Biomes in Asia’. Students then explore contrasting environments through a ‘Coastal Landscapes’ and ‘Urban Environments’ unit. Finally, students undertake a fieldwork investigation on the existence of microclimates around the academy.
Students in Year 8 explore the interdisciplinary nature of Geography. They explore multiple interrelated topics such as ‘Weather Hazards’, ‘River Landscapes’, ‘Climate Change’, and ‘Glacial Landscapes’ which strive to strengthen their geographical imagination. Students then study ‘The Geography of Asia’ before finishing with a fieldwork investigation on how migration has contributed to the character of Small Heath.
Students in Year 9 confidently formulate their own opinions. To start, they explore two contemporary issues: ‘Geopolitics of Russia’ and ‘Development in Africa’. Then, they revisit ‘Global Biomes’ with a focus instead on tropical rainforest and are then introduced to ‘Tectonic Hazards’. To finish, students study ‘Natural Resources’ which then facilitates their fieldwork investigation on energy sustainability within the academy.
What will I study at Key Stage 4?
Year 10 commences with ‘The Challenge of Natural Hazards’ where students explore the causes and impacts of tectonic and weather hazards. They also explore the ways in which governments can manage these impacts. Students then explore ‘The Changing Economic World’, where a study of India and the UK provide insight on similar and contrasting economic processes. Next, ‘The Challenge of Resource Management’ invites students to explore the impacts of unequal access to resources, with a focus on energy resources. Students then explore the processes, landforms, and management of ‘River Landscapes’. Following this is a fieldwork trip to Carding Mill Valley where students investigate whether the Ashbrooke River changes as it goes downstream.
Year 11 commences with ‘The Living World’ where students explore the causes and impacts of deforestation as well as potential management strategies. They then analyse the opportunities and challenges for development in the Sahara. Following this is ‘Urban Issues and Challenges’ where students interrogate the processes that are changing the urban environment and evaluate their respective impacts. This underpins the human fieldwork trip to Liverpool where students evaluate the success of the Albert Docks regeneration. Students then undertake ‘Coastal Landscapes’ before being given ample time for reconsolidation and revision for the exams.
Assessment
Examination Board: AQA 8035
| Overview | Focus |
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The Challenge of Natural Hazards; The Living World; Physical Landscapes in the UK; Geographical Skills. |
| Overview | Focus |
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Urban Issues and Challenges; The Changing Economic World; The Challenge of Resource Management; Geographical Skills. |
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
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Issue Evaluation; Fieldwork; Geographical Skills. |
Enrichment Offer
The Geography Department are integral to the running of the ‘Docclebox’ club. This club invites students to engage with different documentaries, each of which are handpicked by staff and relate to students’ learning across the academy. The aim the development of cultural capital and self-efficacy. Geography also run a range of trips throughout the year.
Careers
The study of Geography can lead to a wide range of future careers.
Atmospheric scientist; environmental scientist; geologist; volcanologist; urban planner; regional planner; surveyor; cartographer; geographical information systems officer; nature conservation officer; environmental consultant; data analyst; business analyst; social researcher; secondary school teacher.