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Geography

The aim of the St Columba’s Geography Department is to develop students’ understanding of the interactions between human and physical geography as well as our globally interconnected society.

This is delivered through a wide range of topics both contemporary and traditional, such as our Key Stage 3 themes of plastic pollution and climate change, map skills and glaciation.

Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?  Michael Palin

Fieldwork is an integral part of Geography and students have the opportunity to visit the London Aquarium, The Crystal, North Devon and they take part in international fieldtrips to locations such as the Azores and Iceland.

The skills students develop through studying Geography are highly transferable to a wide range of careers including the Civil Service and Investment Banking, as well as more specifically subject-based roles such as inspection and surveying for new energy locations, town planning and working within Geographic Information System applications.

Senior

Geography: Senior

Course Description

The aim of the St Columba’s Geography Department is to develop students’ understanding of the interactions between human and physical geography as well as our globally interconnected society. This is delivered through a wide range of topics both contemporary and traditional, such as our Key Stage 3 themes of plastic pollution and climate change, map skills and glaciation. At GCSE level, students study for the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE) IGCSE, with its three main strands: population and settlement, the natural environment and economic development. Students also learn crucial fieldwork skills, carrying out a river study in Epping Forest.

Curriculum

In Form 1 students are introduced to the concept of sustainability through a wide range of units from World Geography, Population, Coasts, Map Skills, and the Geography of Sport. We incorporate traditionally geographical skills such as the use of OS maps to more modern skills such as Digimaps and ArcGIS.

Form 2’s theme is global interactions. This is introduced through a variety of aspects across our units of Ecosystems, Africa and a Weather and Climate Project. The project is a structured independent unit where students produce fantastic resources including themes from cloud formation to the climatic spread of diseases.

In Form 3 students focus is on a range of global disasters and development, starting with a unit about Oceans, then studying Geopolitics. After the Christmas holidays we start the IGCSE with a unit on Earthquakes and Volcanoes and then Development. About 40% of the students pick Geography as one of their three GCSE options.

What are the unique selling points of studying this subject at St Columba’s College?

Studying Geography at St Columba’s College presents a unique opportunity for students to engage in both practical live Geography in the field, locally ( Kew Gardens, Urban Regeneration in London, Rivers Investigation in Essex, Coastal Processes in Devon) and internationally (Azores and Iceland) whilst garnering academically rigorous knowledge from a variety of teachers with a wide range of expertise.

Geography at St Columbas College is fully engaged in current thematic and topical issues which affect young people today making the subject’s relevance significantly meaningful. Students studying Geography at St Columbas enjoy its unique position as a robust facilitating subject straddling both the arts and sciences as well as standing confidently in its own right as a robust Russel Group subject.

How are the students assessed

Geography GCSE students have 3 x 50 minute lessons a week in Form 4 and Form 5. We study the Cambridge International IGCSE exam board (CIE 0976), which is examined in three main ways. Paper 1 is the core Geographical Themes, this includes topics such as Population, Migration, Rivers, Coasts, Economic Development, and Industry. Paper 2 is a Skills paper, questions include Map Skills and skill application, interpretation and analysis of geographical information taken from a range of the topics from paper 1. Component 3, is a Coursework, examining downstream changes at nearby Loughton Brook. For this the students travel to Epping Forest for a day of fieldwork and data collection.

For A Level we continue with the Cambridge International Exam board (CIE 9696), complimenting and building on the units studied by the students in KS4. In Lower VI, students have 6 x 50 minutes lessons per week, split evenly between subject specialists. We complete 6 units in Lower VI, Paper 1- the Core Physical Geography and Paper 2- Core Human Geography. Units this year include Settlement Dynamics, Global Migration and Atmosphere and Weather.

In Upper VI 7 x 50-minute lessons per week. We study Paper 3- Advanced Physical Geography and Paper 4- Advanced Human Geography. This includes units such as Environmental Management, Global Interdependence and Coastal Environments. One lesson per week is dedicated to exam practice and improving students essay skills.

Home Learning

In Form 1 & 2, homework is set once every two weeks, and in Form 3 once a week, following the schools homework rota. It always develops students understanding of the unit we are studying, and has a variety of styles including structured research using the internet or videos; creativity is encouraged and students produce excellent work which promotes both challenge and independence.

In KS4 students have two homeworks a week, one homework will be a retrieval practice and interleaving task. This varies from map skills, core geographic skills, exam questions etc…

In KS5 students have one set homework a week which encourages extra reading and developing students knowledge of the core content. one homework a week is retrieval practice where we interleave the course units with exam questions.

How can parents/guardians support their child’s learning?

Parents tend to enjoy supporting Geography’s home learning as there are a wide variety of simple sources within the home which can support the parent to support their child. This is enhanced with the very topical nature of the themes taught in Geography so that topics such as climate change, natural disasters and migration can be accessed with modest resources. We encourage parents to assist their child to enhance their broader reading with subscriptions to students journals, use of school provided dedicated websites and learning hubs as well as providing enriched learning environments with the simple reading of quality newspapers. Encouraging the focused use of the bank of resources held on their devices also assists. Parents have access to directed websites such as Seneca Learning and GCSE pod as well as technical GIS and map related platforms together with video based documentary sources.

Useful Links

https://timeforgeography.co.uk/
Seneca Learning

Sixth Form

Geography: Sixth Form

Why choose Geography?

Geography is a broad-based subject which provides lots of opportunities for future progression and is highly valued by universities as an A Level choice. At A Level you will discover the complex interaction of processes that shape our world, how human intervention affects the environment, and how people adapt and mitigate the effects of processes on their environment. This is complex and dynamic and varies from place to place depending on people’s resources, technology and culture. Geography is an obvious choice for careers in sustainability and green issues, urban regeneration, energy supply, retail location, managing the effects of hazards and climate change.

For careers in the world of business, an understanding of global economics forms an important part of geography. If you are thinking of a career in law, human rights, international relations or welfare, then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as; How do we measure development? What are the consequences of migration on societies? Most importantly, geography combines well with both the arts and science subjects and allows students to keep their options open for those that do not yet know what kind of career they might want to pursue.

Geography is fantastic to study at A-level with strong connections to other subjects, while itself being a good mix between writing, research, and analytical work.
James, Geography student

What will you learn?

Geography at A Level builds on the work you have studied at GCSE. The course is split into four papers: Core Physical Geography, Core Human Geography, Advanced Physical Geography and Advanced Human Geography. In Core Physical Geography you will develop your understanding of: Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology; Atmosphere and weather; and Rocks and weathering. In Core Human Geography you will look at the roles of technology and innovation in development of food production and the concepts of carrying capacity within the Population unit; understand the patterns and obstacles of migration and the impact this can have on a population in the Migration unit.

In Upper Sixth, students will study the Advanced Physical Geography units of Coastal Environments and Hazardous Environments. The Advanced Human Geography units consist of Environmental Management and Global Interdependence. Fieldwork is an essential part of the course as it provides in-depth case study material about specifically selected sites and practical experience within a variety of environments. Fieldtrips include an international trip in October half-term and a four-day residential to North Devon.

Student view

Geography is a very useful and enjoyable subject that not only enables a greater understanding of the world but also opens doors to many future paths for studying and careers. The subject consists of an equal split between human and physical units which allows for synoptic studying of the subject. We look at a variety of exciting case studies from around the world, incorporating current affairs into our work. Overall, Geography is fantastic to study at A-level with strong connections to other subjects, while itself being a good mix between writing, research, and analytical work.

James, Geography student

Entry Requirement

Grade 6 or above at GCSE

GCE Geography Examination Board

Cambridge International A Level 9696

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