Geography Department
- Mrs T Bradley (Head of Department)
- Mrs T McSorley
- Ms T O’Connor
- Mr P McNabb
In KS3 pupils have the opportunity to develop geographical skills to interpret patterns including mapwork skills. They have the chance to develop enquiry and fieldwork skills and to develop critical and creative thinking skills to solve geographical problems. Our students develop a sense of place through the study of a range of local, national, European and global contexts. The issues they study are of topical significance thus helping them to develop as individuals and as contributors to society.
Marble Arch Geo-Park: Limestone Scenery Study: Year 8
What will I study?
| Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 |
| · An introduction to Geography
· World Geography · The Geography of the UK · The Geography of Ireland · Map work Skills · Settlement Geography · Geology |
· Population Geography
· Weather and Climate · Rivers |
· Earthquakes and Volcanoes
· Development · Ecosystems |
How will I be assessed?
There will be four formal assessments throughout the course of the year. October, December, February and an End of Year assessment.
Useful links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/11_16/ks3geography/index.shtml
GCSE Geography
Through study GCSE Geography students develop knowledge and understanding of geographical concepts and how they affect our changing world; they begin to appreciate the importance of the location of places and environments, from local to global; they develop geographical skills and learn how to use appropriate technologies; they begin to appreciate the differences and similarities between people’s views of the world, its environments, societies and cultures. Students consider how they can contribute to a sustainable and inclusive environment; understand the significance of values and attitudes to the development and resolution of issues; develop and apply their learning to the real world through fieldwork and other learning outside the classroom; and have opportunities to develop as effective and independent learners and as critical thinkers with enquiring minds.
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Key Features |
Employability |
| o Fieldwork is assessed through an external examination supported by primary data collection
o There is one tier of entry for all candidates o Offers opportunities to build on the skills and capabilities developed at KS3 o Sound basis for further study of Geography, e.g. AS and GCE |
o Top universities describe Geography as a ‘facilitating’ subject
o Geography equips students with a variety of transferable skills o ‘Geography is a subject for our time … that make (s) geographers eminently employable’ o ‘Geography: it’s the must have A-Level’ The Guardian 13 August 2015 |
What will I study?
| Year 11 | Unit 3: Fieldwork | Year 12 |
Unit 1: Understanding Our Natural World
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This unit will be started in Year 11 and completed in Year 12:
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Unit 2: Living In Our World
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Specification at a glance
Unit 1: Understanding Our Natural World
- External written exam: 1 hour 30 mins
- Weighting 40%
- Summer of Year 11
Unit 2: Living in Our World
- External written exam: 1 hour 30 mins
- Weighting 40%
- Summer of Year 12
Unit 3: Fieldwork
- External written exam: 1 hour
- Weighting 20%
- Summer of Year 12
Useful links:
http://www.dardni.gov.uk/rivers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3hJK1BoRak
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18854073
http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-development-indicators
http://www.one.org/international/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/middle-class-shopping-in-mumbai/11371.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/explanation-of-trade-deficits-ledcs-and-medcs/504.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-global-chain-of-trade/498.html
Year 11 River Study
Through studying A Level Geography students will learn about:
- geographical concepts and processes;
- interactions between people and their environment;
- the challenges of sustainability; and
- the importance of attitudes and values
What will I study?
| Year 13 | Year 14 |
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Year 13 Sand Dune Study: Magilligan
How will I be assessed?
Year 13
| Unit | Assessment Format | Duration | Weightings |
| AS1: Physical Geography | External written examination
Section A; Students must answer three short structured questions, one on each theme Section B; there are three questions requiring extended writing, one on each theme. Students answer any two questions
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1 hour 15 mins | 40% of AS
16% of A Level |
| AS2: Human Geography | External written examination
Section A; Students must answer three short structured questions, one on each theme Section B; there are three questions requiring extended writing, one on each theme. Students answer any two questions |
1 hour 15 mins | 40% of AS
16% of A Level |
| AS3: Fieldwork Skills and Techniques in Geography | External written examination
Students must bring a table of data and a summary statement to the examination covering the aims and context of their fieldwork (Magilligan)
There are two compulsory structured questions.
For question 1 students may be required to present, analyse, interpret and evaluate their fieldwork data and the techniques they used to collect it.
For question 2 students respond to quantitative and qualitative data from secondary sources. |
1 hour | 20% of AS
8% of A Level |
Year 14
| Content | Assessment | Weighting |
| A2 1: Physical Processes, Landforms and Management | External Written Examination
1 hour 30 mins
The paper has four parts. Each part corresponds to one of the four options and includes two structured questions. Students answer two questions, one from each of their two chosen options.
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24% of A-Level |
| A2 2: Processes and Issues in Human Geography | External Written Examination
1 hour 30 mins
The paper has four parts. Each part corresponds to one of the four options and includes two structured questions. Students answer two questions, one from each of their two chosen options.
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24% of A-Level |
| A2 3: Decision Making in Geography | External Written Examination
1 hour 30 mins
This is a compulsory decision- making exercise in the form of a case study. |
12% of A-Level |
Useful links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange/
http://projects.eri.ucsb.edu/understanding/
http://oiswww.eumetsat.org/IPPS/html/MSG/IMAGERY/IR108/BW/CENTRALEUROPE/
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/index.html