Head of Department

Mrs T Dearling

 

Key Stage 3

Geography is the study of the Earth’s people, places, landscapes and environments. It mixes the arts and the sciences, and bridges the learning gap between many other subjects.

 

At STCM, Geography will inspire a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. It will equip students with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources, human and physical environments, and a deep understanding of the Earth’s key human and physical processes. Our curriculum is designed to be exciting, creative and dynamic, meeting the needs of all our students so they acquire skills for future learning & employment in an ever-changing world.

 

Students have the opportunity to engage which a wide variety of learning resources and styles. For example, students develop their problem solving and researching skills by using ICT, fieldwork and diagrams, internet, maps, videos, newspaper articles, photographs and books. The following units are covered:

 

Year 7

  • Being a Geographer in Our World – in this unit we will learn about being a Geographer and asking Geographical questions. We will be understanding how to use geographical information, in particular maps to help us to locate and describe places in the world.

 

  • Our Populated World – In this unit we will learn about world population distribution and reasons for change. We will also be considering the causes and consequences of migration. The growth of urban areas around the world with their different challenges and opportunities will be explored

 

  • Our Fluvial World – In this unit we will be learning about rivers and how water flows in them. We will also be considering how weathering, erosion and transportation create river landforms, and how to identify these on OS Maps. The importance of river flooding, causes and impacts on communities and an evaluation of strategies will also be examined.

 

  • Our Economic World – In this unit we will learn about economic activities and what they are like at different scales, from local to global. We will also examine the range of jobs people do and how this has changed. Trade links and the UK economy will be considered, and an understanding of globalisation through a case study of Apple.

 

  • Our Coastal World – In this unit we will learn about how erosion, transportation and deposition create and change coastal landforms over time. We will consider how the coast is used by people and the impact of different coastal management strategies. We will be using our map skills to identify coastal landforms on OS maps.

 

  • Our Weather World – In this unit we will learn about the concepts of weather and climate, and the elements that make them up. We will also be finding out about how to measure the weather and using synoptic weather maps to understand and interpret conditions. We will consider the different climates around the world and learn about the reasons for these variations, and finally understand some of the weird weather events taking place.

 

 

Year 8

  • Our Risky World – In this unit we will explore how the Earth’s surface in some places is very unstable and how this can lead to natural disasters. We will also consider the effects such disasters have on places around the world and how changes can be made to make places safer

 

  • Our Unequal World – In this unit we will explore how some places are rich whilst other places are poor, and how development can be measured. We will also consider what life is like in a poorer country and what the impacts of inequality are, and look to the future in supporting development.

 

  • Our Living World – In this unit we will be learning about global ecosystems and their distributions. We will be considering how different biomes have adapted and learning about the importance of bamboo and coral reefs, the reasons for them being under threat and how we can manage these ecosystems. ·

 

  • Our Diverse World – In this unit we will explore the diversity of the Middle East region by considering the human and physical geographical features, but then linking these to the ongoing conflicts and controversies in the region. We will also be examining the importance of this area to the Wider World.

 

  • Our World Full of Challenges and Opportunities – In this unit we will consider the human and physical geography of Africa, and look at its colonial past. We will also be considering some of the challenges facing the area and then looking at the opportunities to develop and change. Finally, we will compare the challenges and opportunities to those being experienced in the UK.

 

  • Our World’s Future – In this unit we will explore the controversial issue of climate change and the evidence presented. We will also be considering the causes and consequences of climate change and examining the options for our planet’s future.

G.C.S.E.

We follow the AQA A specification. Students have 5 lessons per fortnight.  Geography is a very popular option and there are usually 3 – 4 groups of students.

 

Modules consist of:

  • The Challenge of Natural Hazards – In this unit we will be learning about natural hazards and how they are the result of physical processes.  We will be considering the effects of, and responses to, hazards in contrasting areas of wealth and how they are being managed.  Finally, we will examine the causes and effects of climate change, and the various strategies to manage this issue.

 

  • The Living World – In this unit we will explore living with the physical environment.  We will be learning about physical processes and systems and how they change in different environments. We will be looking in particular at the environmental characteristics and development opportunities in tropical rainforests and hot desert ecosystems, and how these are sustainably managed.

 

  • Physical Landscapes of the UK – In this unit we will explore living with the physical environment, and a focus on the physical landscapes in the UK. We will be looking in particular at the environmental characteristics and processes which have shaped our coastal landscapes and river landscapes.  We will study how different management strategies can be used to protect coastlines and rivers from the effects of physical processes.

 

  • Urban Issues and Challenges – In this unit we will be learning about human processes and systems, and how these change in space and time.  In order to do this, we will be learning about different places in various stages of development, and how the development is being managed.  We be focusing on Rio de Janeiro and Bristol and examining the challenges and opportunities experienced by both cities.  The issue of sustainability will be considered.

 

  • Changing Economic World – In this unit we will be looking at human processes and systems, and how these change in space and time.  In order to do this, we will be learning about different places in various stages of development, and how the development is being managed.  We will particularly focus on Nigeria and the UK.

 

  • The Challenge of Resource Management – In this unit we will be looking at how resources are distributed around the world and the issues that are caused by this uneven distribution.  We will be considering food security and management strategies around the world to deal with food issues.

 

Key Stage 5

At A level we follow the AQA specification which covers both human and physical units.  Students have 9 lessons per fortnight.

 

Modules consist of:

  • Water and Carbon Cycle – In this unit we will be focussing on the major stores of water and carbon at or near the Earth’s surface and the dynamic cyclical relationships associated with them. These are major elements in the natural environment and our understanding them is fundamental to many aspects of physical geography.  We will also be considering the magnitude and significance of the cycles at a variety of scales, their relevance to wider geography and their central importance for human populations.

 

  • Ecosystems under Stress – In this unit we will focus on the biosphere and in particular the nature and functioning of ecosystems and their relationships to the nature and intensity of human activities. The impact of population growth and economic development on ecosystems at various scales will also be considered allowing students to engage with fundamental contemporary people–environment issues including those relating to biodiversity and sustainability.

 

  • Glacial Systems and Landscapes – In this unit we will be examining glaciated landscapes. We will understand that these are dynamic environments in which landscapes continue to develop through contemporary processes but which mainly reflect former climatic conditions associated with the Pleistocene era.

 

  • Global Systems and Global Governance – In this unit we will be exploring how the global economy and society have altered significantly in recent years as a result of globalisation. We will be looking at the links between economic, social and political change and engaging with contemporary issues of the global community.

 

  • Population and the Environment – In this unit we will be exploring the relationships between key aspects of physical geography and population numbers, population health and well-being, levels of economic development and the role and impact of the natural environment.

 

  • Changing Places – In this unit we will be learning about the representations of place and how humans perceive and engage with places.  We will also be looking at how places change over time and how external agencies improve perceptions of places

Department Resources Available

  • Interactive Whiteboards
  • Departmental Ipads
  • Digital Cameras
  • Up to date text books and resources
  • Weather Station
  • Variety of Geography DVDs
  • Topical Geographical magazines
  • Twitter account – @StcmGlobal

Extra-Curricular Activities Offered

  • Fieldwork opportunities
  • Slapton Sands – GCSE Geography Students
  • Local fieldwork allowing A Level students opportunities to gather data for their non-examined assessment
  • International Links Lunchtime Club – students are encouraged to share experiences of home and school with students at our partner school in Lagos, Nigeria.  Skype sessions are held between the two schools.
  • Eco-Club – lunchtime club for any students who are interested in making our school environment a more environmentally friendly and sustainable site.  This is to enable us to work towards the Eco School Award
  • Geography Hazards Film Club