Westminster City School
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Geography

Vision

There has never been a better or more important time to study Geography. With growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion, Geography is one of the most relevant subjects and important to help us gain an insight to our futures and better equip us to make decisions about our future.
The Geography department aims to enable students to develop:

  • Understanding about people, places and the environment, and how they are linked.
  • Geographical enquiry- an understanding of how to ask Geographical questions and design a sequence of investigation to find answers to these questions.
  • Geographical skills- a wide range of skills starting with map reading through to statistical analysis of Geographical data.
  • Independent learning skills- through Geographical enquiry.
  • Decision making- through Geographical Decision Making exercises, developing skills in role play and group discussion to negotiate outcomes.


Staffing

Mr D. Desanges - Assistant Headteacher
Mr S. Oliver – Acting Subject Leader
Mr J. Sayer- Teacher of Geography


Curriculum

Each Key Stage has a separate curriculum in Geography. Pupils are assessed each half term and given clear guidance on how to improve. Over Key Stage Three we cover:
• Why our human and physical environments and landscapes appear as they are, how they form and operate, and how they inter-relate at various scales.
• How and why patterns of human and physical features differ from place to place across the earth.
• Differences and inequality within the human world; especially the economic, social and political causes of inequality and economic development.
• The importance of different spatial scales –global to local –and time scales for physical and human processes, together with their interactions and interdependence.

Y 7: producing a video news report on the cause and effects of floods in Australia, using a ‘Green Screen’
At Key Stage 4 (Years 9, 10 and 11) we follow the AQA GCSE syllabus (specification A) in one higher tier and one foundation tier group.
The content focuses on current issues designed to inspire and motivate students to study GCSE Geography. A modern and engaging approach covers key ideas and debates such as climate change, globalisation, economic progress, urban regeneration and management of world resources. The main focus of Specification A is an understanding of physical processes and factors that produce diverse and dynamic landscapes that change over time. This includes the interdependence of physical environments and the interaction between people and the environment as well as an understanding of the need for sustainable management of both physical and human environments. Students will learn to appreciate the differences and similarities between people, places and cultures leading to an improved understanding of societies and economies.

Controlled assessment (formerly coursework) will encourage questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives. Students will use varied resources including maps and visual media as well as complex technologies such as GIS and remote sensing, to obtain, present and analyse information. Students will develop essential skills such as problem solving, decision making, synthesising ideas, identifying issues and communicating findings through the undertaking of a fieldwork investigation, individually and as part of a team. Specification A has strong links with other subjects, including economics, business studies, citizenship and ICT, and areas of the curriculum such as science which focus on sustainability and the global dimension.

Specification
[LINK to AQA A Specification: http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcse/pdf/AQA-4030-W-SP.PDF]

At Key Stage Five Geographers follow a similar programme of study to a far greater depth and breadth (without repeating content) using case studies to explain Geographical processes. A level Geography is a subject which explicitly engages with the relationship of human populations to each other over space and time and their relationship with their physical environment at a variety of scales from the local to the global. All units specified in AQA GCE Geography offer opportunities for candidates to consider:
• Their own roles, values and attitudes in relation to themes and issues being studied
• The roles, values and attitudes of others including decision-makers.

The subject content follows an issues and impacts approach throughout. It has a developmental structure designed to facilitate progression through the course and beyond to link with the demands of higher level study.

Skills taught at A Level Geography

  • Intellectual skills, such as critically evaluating theories and judging evidence in order to make informed decisions and to develop reasoned arguments
  • Research skills, such as using a range of technical methods for the collection and analysis of spatial and environmental data, and undertaking fieldwork
  • Transferable skills, such as teamwork, problem solving, IT skills, communication skills (presentation, writing, debating)
  • Personal attributes, such as time-management, development of responsibility, coping with uncertainty, self-reflection, motivation, flexibility, and creativity

Geography is a highly regarded subject by employers and universities. As a result of the range of topics and skills, links to careers include law, finance, journalism, engineering, management consultancy, civil service and a whole host more.

[link:
www.rgs.org/NR/rdonlyres/21A5D814-CDA6-4533-A717-ACF3177D2216/0/Whystudygeography.pdf]


[Link to spec: http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pdf/AQA-2030-W-SP-10.PDF]


Enrichment


The Geography Department delivers a programme of field trips throughout Key Stages Three, Four and Five. Places recently visited include New York, Iceland, Barcelona and a wide range of places within the UK.
The weekly Geography Club, currently open to Key Stage Three pupils offers a programme of activities that will enrich their learning outside of a classroom setting.

Additional Support

The Geography operates an ‘open door’ policy before and after school each day where students are welcome to request assistance with any class or home work they may find challenging.
The Department operates an extensive programme of revision at Key Stage 4 from March each year, and run a highly popular residential revision weekend in Dorset each April.