Geography

Key Stage 3

Geography is a dynamic and ever-changing discipline, and the Key Stage 3 curriculum at Nicholas Breakspear reflects this. Students will explore and learn about a range of up-to-date and relevant topics. All three elements of Geography will be taught: physical, human, and environmental. Students will study how these elements interact to create complex situations. Throughout Key Stage 3, students will be encouraged to and become confident in exploring their own opinions surrounding real-world issues, whilst grounding their understanding and thoughts in key geographical fundamentals.

In line with the National Curriculum, the teaching of Geography at Nicholas Breakspear aims to ensure that:

• Students develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes
• Students understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time
• Students are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
  • collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
  • interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

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    Key Stage 4

    GCSE Geography builds on the knowledge gained at Key Stage 3 as well as introducing a number of other key topics. GCSE Geography further develops the ability to understand complex interactions and the growing interconnectedness of our current world, whilst increasing knowledge about Geographical fundamentals.

The course is assessed through three exams:

• Exam 1: Paper 1 – Challenges of the Physical Environment (1hr30)
• Exam 2: Paper 2 – Challenges of the Human Environment (1hr30)
• Exam 3: Paper 3 – Geographical Applications (1hr15)

• Exam board: AQA

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

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  Key Stage 5

  In years 12 and 13 students study with the exam board Edexcel. Students study:

  Physical Geography

• The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
• Tectonic Hazards
• Coastal Landscapes
• The Carbon Cycle and Energy Insecurity

• Human Geography

• Globalisation
• Regenerating Places
• Superpowers
• Migration, Identity and Sovereignty

• Examinations:

  Paper 1: Physical Geography (2 hour 15 minutes) – 30%

  Paper 2: Human Geography (2 hour 15 minutes) – 30%

  Paper 3: Synoptic Investigation (2 hour 15 minutes) – 20% 

  Non-examination assessment: Independent Investigation – 20%

  For further information regarding the specification and example exams, please click here.

  All students will conduct their own fieldwork in an independent investigation.