GEOGRAPHY
DEPARTMENT
The Geography Department delivers the Key Stage 3 National
Curriculum
requirements and offers study to GCSE level at Key Stage 4 as part
of Southmoor Pathways. It also provides a number of extra-curricular
clubs and study sessions throughout the week.
Staffing
Two members of staff with subject qualifications up to degree
and PGCE level, not forgetting many years of experience, share
the delivery of the subject within the school and also contribute
to Key Stage 3 cross-curricular strands Facilities
The department is based in two large and well equipped classrooms
with a central resource area which allows close co-operation
and sharing of ideas. The department uses a wide range of Key
Stage 3 and GCSE text and resource books along with a varied
selection of video cassettes and PC software. Each room has its
own dedicated AV facilities, one room is equipped with a fixed
digital projector and there is also a mobile computer system
with AV and a digital projector. There is access to scanning,
printing and digital still and video cameras as required. One teaching room has a suite of computers for basic word processing
and data handling as well as to run geographical software and simulations – well
used during lunch-time clubs. When needed the department can access
the “Sir Tom Cowie” ICT Suite (two floors
below us) and also Southmoor-Sunderland
CLC.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
All pupils are taught in mixed ability groups and follow thematic
schemes of work developed from the National
Curriculum requirements
with some influences from QCA schemes of work. Throughout the
key stage we consider all aspects of Physical and Human Geography
and consider the issues of Environment/Sustainability and SMSC
where they arise naturally using examples from a variety of local,
national and global locations. We adopt a range of learning and
teaching strategies including the development of Thinking Through
Geography/Thinking Skills activities.
In year 7 pupils have one hour of Geography each week. Initial
work focuses around Making Connections and we have been
eager to incorporate the Ordnance
Survey’s “Free-maps-for-all-11-year-olds” scheme,
to develop activities relating to the local area, to improve pupils’ basic
map and atlas skills and to encourage enquiry/research skills.
Other themes in year 7 include Exploring Britain and Environmental
Issues, with a focus on researching endangered species.
In year 8 teaching has increased to two hours of Geography each
week. The first units of work incorporate the inter-connected themes
of The Importance of Water Supplies and River Systems. Population and Settlement are
studied later in the year. Year 8 students are also given the opportunity
to study natural environments and selected regions with an emphasis
on independant research.
Year 9 pupils have a
restructured course which will see pupils investigating the themes
of Tourism and Tectonics in a comparative way, considering their
impact on the United Kingdom, Kenya and Japan with reference to
other case studies when required. Later in the year they will adopt
a more issues based approach to consider topics such as Globalisation
and Oime.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Pupils in years 10 and 11 follow the AQA
Geography Specification A GCSE Full Course (3031). Year 10
and 11groups have 3 hours per week. All groups are mixed ability.
The schemes of work follow a thematic approach with a balance of
Physical and Human Geography taught and the development of Geographical
skills and enquiry work especially in the production of GCSE coursework
(25% of the examination).
The coursework is an investigation of the local area with the hypothesis “Suburban
shopping areas serve the needs of the local community”. This
is completed mainly during year 10 with time in year 11 spent on
improvements and independent extension work.
Extra-curricular Activities
The department provides a “GeoClub” where pupils
can drop in to use computers, play Geographical games and simulations
and catch up on homework as required. A Study Support class caters
for Gifted and Talented Year 10/11 pupils who wish to take GCSE
Geography as an extra subject. In addition Year 10/11 pupils are
encouraged to attend coursework improvement and catch-up sessions
or work informally on aspects of the syllabus.
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