The Geography Department at Harton Academy consists of a suite of five teaching rooms and eight staff. We teach Geography at KS3, KS4, KS5 and BTEC Travel and Tourism.

The department is a close knit community and the staff aim to offer a united approach. We deliver a broad curriculum using a variety of teaching strategies and consider ourselves to be at the cutting edge of technology. All rooms have PCs, Internet connectivity, PowerPoint, projectors and DVD players.

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 Geography is divided into a progressive programme of study comprising 6 modules of work in each year. During these 3 years, students investigate a wide range of people, places and environments at different scales. They learn about geographical patterns and processes and how political, economic, social and environmental factors effect contemporary geographical issues. This develops a knowledge of places and environments throughout the world, an understanding of maps, and a range of investigative and problem solving techniques. The KS3 programme of study has been designed to engage, instruct and develop students with the necessary skills and knowledge for GCSE and beyond building upon the core skills of the National Curriculum. Fieldwork occurs In each year group at different scales both on and off site.

Year 7

In Year 7 the students complete six modules of work. The first module is an induction module covering essential geographical skills through the ‘Welcome to Geography’ module. The second module investigates UK Geography looking at physical and human landscapes in our own country. The third module is the first international unit of work but builds upon the skills of looking at landscapes from the first two units by looking at the continent of Africa and the misconceptions that this vast continent presents in terms of landscapes, people and economics. Students will then study weather and climate which includes on site microclimate fieldwork. Students will finish the year in the final term investigating ecosystems which builds upon how climate can lead to ecosystem and biome formation.

Year 8

In Year 8 the students also complete six modules of work developing upon knowledge from Year 7. The first module of work looks at the geography of Russia which allows students to utilise skills developed from Year 7 particularly the Africa and Middle East units. Students will then discover the impacts of Rivers completing their first GIS (Geographical Information Systems) task. Students will then look at urbanisation and sustainability which includes fieldwork in the local area. Students continue their studies addressing development which builds upon Issues addressed in a range of topics studied through the key stage. The students then complete two units looking at the vital issues of climate change and the cryosphere and the Interconnectivity of these two vital areas of study.

Year 9

In Year 9 the students also complete six modules of work which prepares students for GCSE. The first module addresses a key topic of population and resources and the pressure an increasing population places upon the planet and its resources. The next unit looks at the impact tectonic hazards have upon communities at different levels of development. In this unit students will again use GIS to investigate the positives of volcanic landforms on communities in Sicily and using real time USGS data to study earthquakes as they occur. Students then look at two contemporary units of globalisation and fashion which builds on knowledge from across the key stage but in particular development in year 8 and the first unit in Year 9. Students then study the fascinating module of geographical conflict which looks at a range of geographical conflicts around the world. The final term will see students study two separate units at GCSE level looking at the increasing geographical importance of India before a final unit of coasts which includes fieldwork to Seaburn to investigate coastal management and protection.

Key Stage 3 Learning Journey

Key Stage 4

Students at Key Stage 4 follow the Edexcel B Geography syllabus

This GCSE course deepens understanding of geographical processes, illuminates the impact of change and of complex people-environment interactions, highlights the dynamic links and interrelationships between places and environments at different scales, and develop students’ competence in using a wide range of geographical investigative skills and approaches. Geography enables young people to become globally and environmentally informed and thoughtful, enquiring citizens.

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to build on their Key Stage 3 knowledge and skills to:

• develop and extend their knowledge of locations, places, environments and processes, and of different scales, including global; and of social, political and cultural contexts (know geographical material).
• Gain understanding of the interactions between people and environments, change in places and processes over space and time, and the interrelationship between geographical phenomena at different scales and in different contexts (think like a geographer).
• Develop and extend their competence in a range of skills, including those used in fieldwork, in using maps and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and in researching secondary evidence, including digital sources; and develop their competence in applying sound enquiry and investigative approaches to questions and hypotheses (study like a geographer).
• Apply geographical knowledge, understanding, skills and approaches appropriately and creatively to real-world contexts, including fieldwork, and to contemporary situations and issues; and develop well-evidenced arguments, drawing on their geographical knowledge and understanding (applying geography).

In Year 10 the students cover the following topics Development Dynamics, Hazardous Earth and Challenges of an Urbanising World. These topics make up the content for their Paper 1 exam – Global Geographical Issues.

In Year 11 the students cover UK Geographical Issues and People and the Environment Issues. These topics make up the content for their Paper 2 and Paper 3 exams. Within paper 2, students conduct a physical geography fieldwork to study river change in Upper Coquetdale and a human study which focuses on variations in the quality of life across South Shields.

The course is assessed via 3 externally marked papers:

Paper 1
Based on a study of “Global Geographical Issues this comprises 37.5% of the total mark.
Paper 2
Based on a study of “UK Geographical Issues”, this comprises 37.5% of the total mark.
Paper 3
Based on a “People and the Environment Issues, this comprises 25% of the total mark.

Parents can access more detailed information via the Examination Board website at: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/waulifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-b-2016.html 

Key Stage 5

Students at Key Stage 5 follow the Edexcel A level Geography syllabus

This specification encourages students to gain enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement as they develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject. This A Level course enables students to be inspired by their geographical understanding, to engage critically with real world issues and places, and to apply their geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them. Students grow as independent thinkers and as informed and engaged citizens, who understand the role and importance of geography as one of the key disciplines relevant to understanding the world’s changing peoples, places and environments.

Students visit the Olympic Park area of London to study regeneration issues and the department has also offered international fieldwork opportunities.

The course is assessed via 3 externally marked papers along with a non-examined assessment (NEA) based on an area of Geography in which the student holds an interest:

Paper 1 – Physical Geography (30% of the examination)
Paper 2 – Human Geography (30% of the examination)
Paper 3 – Synoptic Unit (20% of the examination)
Paper 4 – Non-examined assessment (20% of the examination)

Parents can access more detailed information via the Examination Board website at: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/geography-2016.html