Welcome to the Geography Department:
Geography at Shene School is an exciting and engaging subject which allows pupils to understand issues at both a local and global level. We believe that it is important for pupils to explore both physical and human geography enabling them to become informed and responsible citizens in our ever changing world.
Pupils can expect to look at current and contemporary issues such as Hurricane Katrina, flooding in the UK, the Kashmir earthquake, tourism in the Antarctica and the Beijing and London Olympics. We believe that fieldwork is an integral part of studying geography and therefore we are planning some new trips this year. The aim of these trips is to allow pupils to experience learning outside the classroom and gain an insight into geography in the real world.
Teachers:
Ms. G Booth - Subject Leader: Geography
Mr. N Richardson - Teacher of Geography
Key Stage 3 Geography:
In Key Stage 3, year 7 and 8 pupils have 2 one hour lessons of geography a week and year 9 have 1 one hour lesson a week. The pupils study the following units:
Year 7:
Introduction to Geography, map and atlas skills
Transport
Antarctica
Rivers
The European Union and Italy
Settlements
Year 8:
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Weather and Climate
Geography of Crime
Population and Migration
Olympics
Brazil and Rainforests
Year 9:
Development, globalisation and the fashion industry
Paradise lost
Low Carbon London
The pupils are assessed after every unit and are given a grade which is based on the National Curriculum Level Descriptors. Pupils are set 1 homework a week which should take year 7 at least 20 minutes and year 8 and 9 at least 30 minutes.
Key Stage 4 Geography:
The Year 11 students currently study AQA specification C for their GCSE. The pupils undertake 12 units which are divided into 3 sections:
Managing Change in the Human Environment
Managing the Physical Environment
Managing Economic Development
All students sit 2 geography papers. Paper 1 is a decision making exercise which counts for 25% of the final grade and Paper 2 is a more traditional exam and counts for 50% of the final grade. The students also undertake coursework which focuses on the problems and benefits of tourism in Windsor. The coursework is worth 25% of their final grade.
The Year 10 pupils study AQA specification B for their GCSE. The pupils undertake 3 units:
· The Urban Environment
· Living With Natural Hazards
· Global Tourism
They also complete 2 pieces of coursework (worth 25% of the total marks) which are completed under controlled conditions. One of these will be based upon ‘Water, A Precious Resource’ and the other is a local investigation involving fieldwork. The students will sit three 1 hour exams during the 2 year course each worth 25% of their final grade.
Pupils at Key Stage 4 have 3 one hour lessons a week and will receive at least 1 hour of homework every week. The pupils are regularly assessed through practice GSCE questions and mock papers.
Revision Links:
www.geography.about.com
www.geo.resources.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography
