Geography

Geography is a subject which enables students to grow their knowledge about the world and help them understand how we as humans interact with the physical landscapes and environments around us.

We offer a full and varied Geography curriculum at Central Academy to inspire all of our students and embed a life-long curiosity and fascination about the world in which we live in. 

Here at Central Academy we provide our students in KS3 (Years 7 & 8) with the opportunity to explore a wide range of Human and Physical Geographical themes, with the aim of developing their knowledge and understanding of diverse places, people and resources that help shape our world today.

In Geography we offer a high quality education that inspires students to be more curious about the world in which they live in, and how it may change over the course of their lives.

As students progress through KS3, their growing knowledge about the world will help them deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes and the formation and use of landscapes and environments.

The aims of our KS3 Geography curriculum are to ensure that all students:

• Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places
• Understand the processes that give rise to physical and human geographical features of the world

Are competent in Geographical skills that are needed to:

• Collect, analyse and communicate with a wide range of data gathered through fieldwork
• Interpret a range of sources of Geographical information including maps, diagrams, globes and aerial photographs
• Communicate Geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length

Useful Links

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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zrw76sg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/

In KS4 students will study the AQA GCSE Geography curriculum, to deepen their knowledge and understanding on how physical and human processes differ between higher income countries (HICs) and low income countries (LICs). Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use.

In Year 9, students are introduced to the unit ‘living with the physical environment’. Here they explore natural hazards and how they impact human life. To help develop their knowledge further students focus on specific case studies. This helps to locate key hazards and events and raise awareness of how different countries cope with the impact and responses. All students are assessed regularly with past exam papers to help practice exam question technique as they prepare for their final exams.

In Years 10 and 11 students are introduced to the unit ‘challenges in the human environment’. Here they explore urban challenges and economic development, focusing on the difference between a rich country such as the UK and an emerging country such as Nigeria. Students also develop their Geographical applications that are assessed in their exams. This involves participation in fieldwork and geographical enquiry. 

Useful Links

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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zrw76sg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/

Geography at KS5 focusses on looking at the world through a different perspective looking at both human and physical topics. Students are expected to explore and evaluate contemporary geographical questions on a wide range of topics.

Through the new curriculum students are encouraged to challenge perceptions and explore the significance of key physical processes which change and shape our world.

In Year 12, students are expected to learn about Water Cycles, Natural Hazards, Glacial Systems and Landscapes, Changing Places and Contemporary Urban Environments.

In Year 13 students are expected to learn about Water Insecurity, Energy Security, Superpowers and Global Development Concerns. Throughout the course students are given the opportunity to examine these topics in person on multiple field trips across the two years. 

Useful Links

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level